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Tag: Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji

  • Osun 2026: What APC should consider before picking deputy guber candidate, by party leader

    Osun 2026: What APC should consider before picking deputy guber candidate, by party leader

    As the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensifies consultations on a running mate for its Osun governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), party chieftain Chief Abiodun Adesiyan has called for the position to be zoned to Osun Central Senatorial District, citing its voter strength and electoral competitiveness.

    Adesiyan argued that since Oyebamiji hails from Osun West and is a Muslim, the party should consider a Christian running mate to achieve religious and demographic balance on the ticket.

    In a statement, the APC leader said political calculations demand that the deputy governorship candidate possess strong grassroots appeal, street credibility, and broad-based mobilisation capacity.

    “Across APC structures in Osun Central, there is increasing agreement that the ideal deputy governorship candidate should be a strong Christian to balance the ticket religiously; a politician with grassroots acceptance; someone with cross-party connections, particularly among former PDP blocs; a figure with influence among labour leaders, students, artisans, and informal sector workers; and a candidate whose local government has strong voter registration strength capable of delivering significant votes,” he said.

    He noted that voter mobilisation is increasingly tied to figures on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register, making the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise critical to the final decision.

    Read Also: Osun 2026: How APC can win guber poll through youth mobilisation, by party chieftain

    According to him, Osun State had 1,955,657 registered voters as of June 2022, with Osun Central leading at 652,911 voters, ahead of Osun East with about 603,000 and Osun West with approximately 609,030.

    Adesiyan identified Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun, Boripe, and Odo-Otin as local governments in Osun Central with strong voting strength and potential for delivering electoral advantage.

    Among possible running mates, he mentioned Hon. Adeoye Adelakun (Osogbo), Hon. Funmi Olasehinde (Ifedayo), and Barr. Kayode Oduoye (Ifelodun), noting Oduoye’s popularity across the Boripe/Ifelodun/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency and within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    He also listed Hon. Yinka Ajayi (Boripe), Dr. Temitope Ilori (Ila), the daughter of former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande, and Ms. Tola Odeyemi, the current Postmaster General of Nigeria. Other names suggested include Kayode Adereti and Hon. Nike Omoworare from Ile-Ife.

    Adesiyan concluded that pairing Oyebamiji with a strong Christian candidate from Osun Central—capable of mobilising voters, energising grassroots structures, and bridging political and social divides—could be decisive in the APC’s bid to reclaim Osun State in 2026.

  • Osun 2026: My victory is divinely guaranteed, says Oyebamiji 

    Osun 2026: My victory is divinely guaranteed, says Oyebamiji 

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has expressed confidence that his victory is assured with the support of the people of the state.

    Speaking at the annual prayer programme organized by the An-sar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria in Ikire on Saturday, Oyebamiji described his co-contenders as weak and insisted he would win the Osun governorship on August 8, 2026.

    He vowed to put Osun on the “right track” if elected, criticizing the current administration for failing in key sectors over the last three years. 

    “Osun is backward in education, our primary healthcare system is down, nothing is happening in agriculture, infrastructure is poor, and many promises have failed,” he said.

    Oyebamiji emphasized, “I have said this several times that Bola Oyebamiji doesn’t have a competitor. I am going to win that governorship election come 2026. We believe strongly that it will be by the special grace of God.”

    Highlighting the significance of the gathering in light of the upcoming election, he stressed the importance of prayer and faith in the oneness of God.

    His wife, Sekinah Bola-Oyebamiji, added that Osun State needs a leader who governs with conscience and sensitivity. She noted that attendance at the programme has grown over the years, with more than 6,000 residents participating in 2025.

    Earlier, the Chief Imam of An-sar-ud-deen, Ikire branch, Badmus Adekunle, lauded Oyebamiji’s candidacy, stating that his endorsement by the APC reflects his leadership qualities, loyalty to the party, competence in public service, and the goodwill he enjoys across the state.

  • I’m ready for any mode of primary by Osun APC, says NIWA boss

    I’m ready for any mode of primary by Osun APC, says NIWA boss

    The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has expressed confidence that he would emerge as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2026 Osun State election because of his support base.

    Oyebamiji, who is one of the governorship aspirants in APC, speaking during his continued statewide consultation of party leaders and members held at Orolu and Irepodun councils, noted that his support base was getting stronger every day.

    The NIWA boss said: “My support base is getting stronger every day. I have visited 16 local government areas of Osun State for consultation and I can tell you that I will emerge as the standard-bearer of the party, no matter the mode of primary adopted by our great party.

    Read Also: Oyetola, NIWA boss never indicted in 2019 multi-billion naira project— Aide

    “APC members have assured me that they are behind me because I have the qualities they are looking for. In every local government I visited, they trooped out and you will see the ingenuity and originality in the love they show to the AMBO movement.

    “Orolu and Irepodun local governments have joined the train of my movement today. I am happy to be here. I want to assure you that after I emerge as the governor of Osun State in 2026, I will build the state in ways that will be beneficial to everybody.”

    He enjoined the party members to mobilise youths and eligible electorate to participate in the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

  • Osun 2026: ‘NIWA boss Oyebamiji most sellable APC aspirant’

    Osun 2026: ‘NIWA boss Oyebamiji most sellable APC aspirant’

    Former Osun State speakers and lawmakers have backed the governorship aspiration of Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary.

    The ex-lawmakers held that NIWA boss is the most sellable aspirant within APC fold, adding that his over 30 years’ experience in private and public sectors.

    Oyebamiji during consultations over his ambition at Boluwaduro and Ifelodun councils yesterday, expressed confidence that APC would win.

    He said: “I am happy to see a great number of our party members receive us here in Boluwaduro Local Government. This is a signal of victory and I can assure our people that once we emerge, all our promises we made would be met, by the grace of Almighty God.

    “As I said earlier, this is a friendly contest and my advice is that we should continue to relate as one united family. We are working together to get the best for our people. Once the best is picked, we will work together to lead our party to victory.’’

    READ ALSO: Umar unveils 38 ‘unsung June 12 heroes’ in military

    Earlier, pioneer speaker of the state House of Assembly, Wale Afolabi, speaking on behalf of ex-Assembly caucus, said, “Oyebamiji is the most sellable aspirant in whom many of us, leaders and members are pleased with.

    “As you can see for yourself, these are just party leaders, stakeholders and members of our party that came out en masse to receive him (NIWA boss). The turn out signal that victory is sure for us. We are confident that Oyebamiji will emerge victorious in the primary and August 8, 2026.”

    Also, the lawmaker representing Boluwaduro State Constituency, Femi Popoola and former Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Sunday Akere, expressed confidence in Oyebamiji’s capacity to lead the party to victory next year.

  • NIWA boss denies attack claim on Tinubu, warns peddlers of fake news

    NIWA boss denies attack claim on Tinubu, warns peddlers of fake news

    The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has denied allegations that his supporters attacked President Bola Tinubu following a recent visit by Governor Ademola Adeleke, his brother Adedeji Adeleke, and afrobeat star David Adeleke (Davido) to his residence.

    Oyebamiji, a leading governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), issued a strong warning to those spreading false information, urging them to desist from deliberate misinformation.

    In a statement released through his campaign coordinator, Adebayo Adedeji, Oyebamiji described the claims as “mischievous and cruel,” alleging they were the handiwork of desperate politicians seeking to cause division.

    “My supporters had and have no reason to attack President Tinubu over a harmless private visit. The accusations are nothing more than an insanely sponsored narrative by rejected political actors,” the statement read.

    Oyebamiji reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu and commitment to the APC, urging the public to disregard what he called baseless propaganda.

    Read Also: Tinubu inaugurates 180Mw Afam II Power Plant

    “My Media directorate monitors all activities and engagements on social and digital space to ensure all our political communications and media messaging align with our rule of engagement by promoting Oyebamiji, Renewed Hope Agenda and Adegboyega Oyetola. 

    “No member of our team, whether in the media or other directorates, has used his/her space to promote hate speech against our national leader or any leader of the party whatsoever.

    “We insist that Oyebamiji’s Project has been issued-based and is intentional about canvasing quality supports within and outside the party that would lead our party to success, first in 2026 in the guber contest and, second, in the 2027 presidential election.”

  • Osun 2026: Oluwo receives NIWA boss, hands over aspiration to God

    Osun 2026: Oluwo receives NIWA boss, hands over aspiration to God

    • Oyebamiji inaugurates grassroots mobilisers in Iwo Federal Constituency

    Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has received the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, and blessed his 2026 gubernatorial aspirations.

    Oyebamiji, who toured the Iwo Federal Constituency consisting of three local government areas including Ola-Oluwa, Iwo and Ayedire, also inaugurated grassroots campaigners to mobilise new voters into the All Progressives Congress(APC) ahead of next year’s poll.

    Speaking at the palace of Oluwo, Oyebamiji said: “I have come here to receive a royal blessing from you. I am on a mission to rescue the state from its present situation. I am capable of taking Osun State to greater heights through the platform of APC. I have been learning Progressives’ way for about 15 years and have over 30 years of experience in private and public sectors.”

    “We have done it before when we(APC) governed the state until the present government who are on a mission to wreck our good works but by the grace of God and your support, our flag will fly again.”

    He noted that he consulted the leaders of his party in the constituency and received positive responses which will go a long way to see to the victory of APC in the August 8th 2026 guber election.

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    Oba Akanbi offered prayers and handed Oyebamiji’s aspiration to God.

    “I handed over your aspiration to God almighty. He is the one who planned everything and who made all things happen. I pray that God will guide your course.”

    Earlier, Oyebamiji was accomplished by bigwigs in APC including former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye; former House of Representatives members and state lawmakers, Bade Falade; Hon. Gafar Amere, Yinusa Amobi and Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni; Hon. Olasunkanmi Akinola Omotuntun, Hon. Debo Akanbi, Hon. Abiodun Awolola, Hon. Festus Babatunde Komolafe, former commissioners, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, and Sunday Akere, among others.

    He harped on decorum, civility and decency in canvassing support among the guber aspirants, saying it is sacrosanct to avoid politics of acrimony and campaign of calumny in all the political engagements.

  • College of Education curriculum must accommodate ICT to improve teaching – NIWA boss

    College of Education curriculum must accommodate ICT to improve teaching – NIWA boss

    The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has advocated for technological innovations in teachers’ training to enable them to compete globally in education.

    He also called for a periodic review of the Nigerian Colleges of Education curriculum to incorporate modern information and communication technology teaching innovations, aiming to improve the quality of teacher training in Nigeria.

    He noted that the current generation, particularly those aged 5 to 30, heavily depends on technology as a lifestyle, and to get the best out of them, Nigeria’s method of teaching must pursue technological innovation for national development.

    Oyebamiji, in a statement, revealed this during his opening remarks as the Chairman of the National Education Summit organised by the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education (NANCES) at the Federal College of Education in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the theme: Bridging the Gap and Ensuring Equitable Access to Education.

    According to him, “Education is a major tool to exit the circle of poverty and criminality and to improve the quality of our education system in Nigeria, stakeholders, including the federal government and state government and private sector, must recognise the current reality by investing more on technological training to equip our teachers with modern skills in ICT.

    Read Also: Union decries neglect of teacher education

    The lifestyle of our younger generation revolves around technology. The majority are using mobile phones and computers for 8 to 10 hours daily on average; therefore, if we must get the best out of them, we must converge with them at that technological space.”

    NIWA boss lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the NELFUND initiative which has significantly provided equitable access to education and reduced the tuition fee burden on the parents.

    He disclosed that he also conferred an Award of Excellence in Nigeria Inland Water Safety and Infrastructural Development which was received by his representative, Executive Director, Engineering Services, Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Eng Kayode Sowade.

    Speaking earlier, the President of NANCES, Comrade Egunjobi Samuel, described the NIWA boss as an exceptional leader who is committed to the growth of the younger generation, especially the student community.

    He said the association has monitored his political trajectory since he was MD of OSICOL in Osun State and as a two-term commissioner, and, just recently, as the MD/CEO of NIWA, adding that Oyebamiji has distinguished himself as an honest, committed, and result-oriented leader

    The patron of the association and Provost, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Dr Rafiu Adekola, said NELFUND is one of the best interventions that have happened to tertiary education in Nigeria, urging the student to maximise the opportunity to access higher education.