Tag: Bola Oyebamiji

• By Olufisayo Alebiosu

The man in the glare of public curiosity at this moment is the immediate past Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and former two-term Commissioner for Finance in Osun State. He is Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, famously known as AMBO.

Oyebamiji is in the public eye because, as the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), nothing can be taken for granted regarding the forthcoming August 8, 2026, governorship election in Osun State. This stands in sharp contradistinction to the projections of independent analysts concerning Ekiti State where, barring the mother-of-all-electoral upsets, incumbent Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, aka BAO, appears assured of a resounding victory.

On his part, Oyebanji is in a position to dictate the course of events amidst the whimper of dissent, as the countdown begins for whatever remains of the disparate and increasingly confused ‘alternative’ to the incumbent governor of Ekiti State. They lack a coherent, strategic imperative to mount a credible challenge. The Ekiti election appears to be a done deal in favour of BAO.

Osun is a different ballgame! There will be twists, turns, and tales of the unexpected. The APC candidate in Osun must give great kudos to the interventions of the presidency, whose deft moves have doused the tensions arising from Oyebamiji’s consensus candidacy. His rivals have clearly calculated that it is in their interest not to take on the presidency; it is difficult to imagine any of them mounting a challenge from any quarter. At worst, they will sit it out – a move they likely view as being in their own interest, however ill-advised it may seem. Indeed, this is a big win for AMBO’s prospects! It is, however, not a done deal.

Legitimate questions can – and should – be asked about the strength of the APC on the ground. From ward to ward, local government to local government, and across every senatorial district: how robust is the party’s organizational structure for a ‘get-out-the-vote’ effort? The Osun governorship election could ultimately be decided by the swiftness of voter turnout.

A key factor that must be reiterated in any calculation is that Osun added 189,000 new names to its registration roll – the highest increase nationwide. Why this is the case, and how it came to be, remains the critical question. Anyone seriously planning to win this election must provide a sharp, analytical explanation for this phenomenon. The situation is intriguing precisely because there is no evidence of a coordinated, systematic voter registration drive typical of more politically sophisticated societies.

There must be a reason why political engagement is higher in Osun than in any other state, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. It is in the interest of AMBO and his presumably data-driven strategists to decipher this surge in voter registration and determine who the ultimate beneficiary will be. This increase must be analyzed according to its distribution across local governments and senatorial districts; such a breakdown will be not only revealing but vital to any political permutations.

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Clearly, Oyebamiji’s strategists have their work cut out for them, especially regarding the demographic composition of these new registrants. If, as expected, the figures favour the under-30s, they must develop a specific strategy to mobilize and convince these first-time voters to support their cause.

They will face stiff opposition from the camp of the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is now flying the flag of the Accord Party. Whether they like it or not, Adeleke possesses a formidable tool for mobilizing first-time voters: the pulling power of his nephew, popularly known as Davido.

We have seen from past elections in the USA, South Africa, Uganda, and elsewhere that pop stars resonate with and influence the voting intentions of younger demographics. Any serious political permutations must take this into account when crafting electioneering strategies. The election, provided it is free and fair, could hinge on this factor. They had better develop a youth-centered mobilization strategy that can be fine-tuned as the campaign progresses.

The Oyebamiji campaign must be issue-based. As a former Commissioner of Finance, the candidate must be prepared to provide convincing answers to lingering questions regarding ‘Afusa’ – the period of half-salary payments in Osun State which Governor Adeleke has verifiably cleared. This is a savvy move by the ‘Dancing Governor,’ even as he continues to dance ‘wùrùwúrú’ around the substantive answers. There are thousands of direct and indirect beneficiaries of these payments, most of whom likely hold voter cards. It is the philosophy of the ‘smoke screen’, where the objective isn’t to solve a crisis, but to manufacture the appearance of a solution long enough to survive the next news cycle.

‘Wùrùwúrú to the answer’ privileges the hollow image of progress over the tangible substance of a full stomach or a secure home. Ultimately, this turns leadership into a cruel magic trick: the audience loses their livelihood while the magician stands back, waiting for applause. This reality isn’t just messy, it is fundamentally dishonest. In a tenure of ‘wùrùwúrú’ and shadows, Adeleke will want to cash his IOUs and Oyebamiji must be proactive and sharply articulate in handling this issue.

AMBO is a seasoned banker and administrator who has spent over 30 years building a reputation for excellence. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, he cut his teeth in the banking industry before moving into public service to help reposition the finances of Osun State. During his time as the Managing Director of the Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL) and later as the Commissioner for Finance, he was the silent engine behind the state’s economic survival during some of its toughest years. As the MD/CEO of NIWA, AMBO worked hard to turn our waterways into a major hub for business and safety.

A deep-rooted community man and the Asiwaju of Ikireland, Oyebamiji is the perfect example of an ‘Omoluabi’ – someone who stays humble and keeps his word despite his high office. Love him or hate him, what sets AMBO apart is his ability to handle complex financial issues while staying connected to the needs of the ordinary man on the street. As a loyal leader in the APC, he has become a trusted voice for reform and a bridge-builder who believes that governance must always be about the people.

It is going to be a rigorous battle across the complexities of the three senatorial districts or, as some people have argued, Osun State can actually be divided into six political provinces. The astute and the savvy would be in the best place to carry the day. Oyebamiji looks capable of pulling it off!

●Alebiosu wrote from Ede, Osun State.

The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, is a governorship aspirant in Osun State. The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain spoke on his achievements as the chairman of Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL), his manifestos and why the chapter should maintain peace, unity, and harmony ahead of next year’s poll. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports

You have visited all the local governments in the state ahead of the APC primary. What is your impression?

I’ve moved round the entire local government to consult and I have discovered that there are lot of infrastructural deficits in Osun. And I want to inform our people in Osun that it will be addressed.

I’m overwhelmed and encouraged with the preparation of our people towards taking the government from PDP. I’ve seen that the APC members and supporters have worked so hard with love, wanting my humble self to be the flag bearer, so that we can send the present government packing. We won’t disappoint them. We will work hard to deliver, and by the time our leaders decide on who to run, all the aspirants have agreed that we will join hands together to support whoever our elders pick.

But let me emphasise that as a party, we must present a united front to reclaim our state. We must prioritise party cohesion. The stakeholders must place party unity and electoral success above personal ambitions. A united front is vital for the APC’s electoral success, because elections are won through collective commitment, mutual respect, and shared purpose, not solo efforts.

We must show maturity in diversity. As a party man, I recognise the beauty of diverse aspirations in a democracy. However, there is need for all of us the aspirants to show maturity, respect for party supremacy, and a genuine desire for the progress of Osun. To this end, actions capable of causing fracture within the party must be avoided. We must embrace dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation to resolve disagreements, while resisting provocations, since our ultimate goal is to ensure that the party reclaims the state by next year, In sha Allah.

Ila and Boripe local government areas, where Chief Bisi Akande and Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola hail from respectively, were part of the places you visited last. How were you received there?

My brother, the consultation visits to Ila and Boripe Local Government Areas once again reaffirmed the unity and strength of our great party, the APC. From Ila Orangun to Iragbiji and Iree, the excitement and massive turnout clearly reflect the people’s readiness to restore purposeful leadership back in Osun State.

I am profoundly grateful to our party leaders, elders, and members for the warm reception and unflinching support shown to me and my team. The love and enthusiasm expressed during those visits are not just about politics; they are a reflection of collective faith in a renewed Osun built on competence, integrity, and shared prosperity.

As we visited Ila, the home of our revered father and national leader, Chief Adebisi Akande, whose legacy of principled leadership continues to guide our party, we were reminded of the strong foundation laid by our founding leaders and the need to build upon it with unity and vision.

I deeply appreciate our party leaders from across all the other local government areas of the state for their confidence, steadfastness, and open endorsement. Their unity and encouragement strengthen my resolve to serve with humility, focus, and total commitment to the progress of our dear state, if given the opportunity.

We remain loyal to the leadership and guidance of our father and mentor, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola. His exemplary leadership continues to inspire our unity and shared commitment to reposition the APC for victory come 2026. I must confess, the overwhelming support witnessed in Ila and Boripe and all the other remaining 28 councils plus the Development Area is another divine confirmation that our mission is people-driven and destined for success. With God on our side and the people standing firm, we will reclaim Osun and return our state to the path of progress, peace, and prosperity.

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You served under former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola. What have been the major achievements?

I spent over 28years in the banking industry. I have worked as the MD/CEO of the investment arm of the government in Osun State before I became the commissioner. Honestly, I turned the fortunes of OSICOL around when I was there.

In OSICOL I was able to revive that company. when I came on board at that particular year, OSICOL shareholders’ fund was N300million negative and before I left to become the Commissioner of Finance, I increased that to N6billion.Together with other investments, I established a gas station for the company and till today, it is the best in Osun State.

I ventured into property for the state government, we have our property in Ikeja till today. We have almost 32 flats of three bedrooms which I initiated and delivered. We also have another one in Abuja. Also, I delivered the headquarters of Osun State Investment Company. I promoted the establishment of the mall, the only mall that we have today in Osun, I promoted it and delivered it.

How has it been so far at NIWA?

Well, so far so good. The increasing human population across the globe including Nigeria requires leaders with vision to evolve strategies to create avenues for revenue generation to cope with demands for basic necessities of life. For me, I believe the above reason informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to create the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. Mr President realised early enough that the oceans and their resources contribute greatly to global economy and societal development.

Based on the statistic released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the ocean economy contributed 1.5 trillion dollars to the global economy in the past one and a half decades and it is projected to double in another five years. And to pilot the affairs of this new ministry, Mr. President decided to appoint a vibrant and seasoned administrator, in person of my boss and leader, the former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to take charge.

Would you say the minister has discharged the responsibility well, so far?

I am not sure I am qualified to score my boss. But if the push, directives and counsels he gives to us as heads of agencies under the ministry are anything to go by, I am confident to say that he has done well. For instance, the first stakeholders’ meeting NIWA had with commissioners of Transportation from the 36 states of the country was the minister’s idea of helping to stem the tide of boat mishaps in the country. In fact, as he was handing my letter of appointment to me two years ago, the first charge was that ‘go and find solutions to boat mishaps.’ I can report to you that we are doing everything within our limit to achieve that goal.

If by your claim, the minister has done so well. How come there’s this perception of him not doing much?

For me, I think it is all politics. For instance, I am aware that the Honourable minister since assuming office has completed most of the projects he inherited from the previous administration and has initiated new ones. The projects that the minister completed are: the Funtua Dry Port, Port Access Roads in Onne and the rehabilitation of some access roads in Tin Can and Apapa ports. In collaboration with the Lagos State Government, an end was put to the multi-billion-naira yearly loss to Lagos ports traffic gridlock on the Tin Can port corridor.

He was in Lokoja to launch the Water Transportation Code after several years of not being able to pull it together. So far, I can confidently say that the minister has improved on what he met on ground. In terms of revenue, he has upped it by over 90 percent. As we speak, there is a reduction in both the vessel and truck turn-around times. It was all these efforts that earned the ministry overall best performing based on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). The truth is, the agencies under the ministry cannot be adjudge to be performing and someone will now turn around to say he has not seen what the ministry is doing. Does it add up? The ministry plays a supervisory role and it is the minister that leads the charge.

Talking about NIWA and Transportation code, what are the things you are doing in practical terms to eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum, boat mishaps?

Let me start with the transportation code. It is part of measures put in place by the ministry, through NIWA to significantly standardise water transportation, minimise accidents, and provide a structured environment for potential investors. We have 10, 000km of waterways, out of which 3,000 are navigable seasonally. So, we want to maximise the gains of water transportation, hence, the launching of the code. On the second leg of your question, we have embarked on advocacy on the need for Nigerians to avoid patronising rickety boats, night travels, and ensure they always put on their live jackets before embarking on any journey. Ninety percent of the boat mishaps are caused by human error. I was at a training session with some boat drivers recently and from my interactions with them, I realised that we have a long way to go in this country. Many of them are not only untrained but also get intoxicated in the early hours of the day. This is unacceptable, and we are already working tirelessly to reverse this trend. Thankfully, our advocacy is yielding results. After our distribution of life jackets across the country, passengers now wear their life jackets because we have also engaged Water Marshals that carry out the enforcement.

We have also taking steps towards phasing out substandard wooden boats, and to do that, we have intensified our collaboration with indigenous boat builders to phase out these boats from the system. The initiative is aimed at encouraging the production and use of safer, modern boats that meet global standards. We have visited the various riverine communities to raise awareness about the dangers of using unsafe boats and to promote adherence to safety protocols. However, for us to achieve comprehensive safety and security, let me seize this opportunity to appeal to the National Assembly to help prioritise and pass the Coastal Guards Bill into law. This will equip us with the necessary tools to regulate and secure our waterways effectively. Once that is done, Nigerians will find waterways transportation not only attractive but one which will in turn boost our tourism industry.

How prepared is Osun APC for next year’s governorship race?

I can conveniently tell you that the people of Osun have tasted the APC government and they are experiencing that of the PDP at the moment, I believe they already know the difference. Under the Oyetola’s administration, where I served as the Commissioner for Finance, our boss championed a course for the development of Osun and better welfare package for workers. The capacity and capability of our boss to bring financial ingenuity and creativity to governance is quite appreciated and even commended by members of the opposition. His Midas touch in administration is top notch and as everyone can see, Osun under our boss, was on the path of resounding economic recovery despite the myriads of financial challenges that we faced at that time.

Our boss did fantastically well, merging and unifying forces together, strengthening the bond of our party, ensuring equitable distribution of political patronage and developmental projects across the State. Look at the Ede to Ejigbo road and Ede to Ara Junction that we constructed, they were in a state of disrepair for several years before our government intervened. We completed, equipped and made functional 332 PHCs, one per ward. The long abandoned Osogbo/Iwo Road also received attention. Road rehabilitation and construction has today made our boss the long-expected governor of the people. Virtually every part of Osun felt the impact of the Oyetola administration. Most of the roads that were built were the roads that had long been abandoned for decades before our administration brought them back to life.

For instance, the people of Asipa/ Yakooyo will not forget in a hurry the Oyetola’s impacts on their lives with the new lease of life given to their road which was abandoned for over four decades. Ditto the long abandoned Kelebe-Iragbiji, the Osogbo-Ilobu and Ada-Igbajo roads. The people of those communities are today enjoying fresh lease of life as a result of the Oyetola administration’s infrastructure renewal. When fuel subsidy was still subsisting, the Oyetola’s administration fed 30, 000 vulnerable Osun citizens. I can go and on. But because it is not time for politics yet, I won’t say much about that.