Osun 2026: Oyebamiji denies position-sharing rumour as LG consultations kick off
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Following his official declaration to contest the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and a leading governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Bola Oyebamiji, has dismissed rumours that he has begun sharing political positions ahead of the 2026 election.
Speaking during his grassroots consultation tour of Olaoluwa, Ayedire, and Iwo Local Government Areas in Iwo Federal Constituency, Oyebamiji described the rumour as baseless and absurd, stressing that no positions had been allocated since he had not even emerged as the party’s flagbearer.
He said, “There’s this insinuation that we have shared political positions. I want to sincerely dispel this rumour and clear the air — I didn’t share any position, and no one has come to me for any. This is far from the truth. What positions? Is it even possible to do that when I haven’t emerged? It is a blatant lie. It is ridiculous that someone would come up with such an absurd claim — it defies common sense.”
During the consultation, Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, praised party leaders and members for the rousing welcome, describing it as a sign of acceptance and overwhelming support from the party’s grassroots.
The consultation trail of the AMBO Movement began at Bode Osi in Olaoluwa Local Government, where Oyebamiji and leaders of the party in his entourage met with APC stakeholders. The tour continued to Ile-Ogbo in Ayedire Local Government and later Iwo in Iwo Local Government.
The overall leaders of the APC in the three LGAs—Alhaji Musi Opakunle (Olaoluwa), Prof. Pade Aderibigbe (Ayedire), and Barrister Gbadegesin Adedeji (Iwo)—spoke on behalf of party chieftains and members, praying for Oyebamiji’s successful emergence in both the party primary and the 2026 gubernatorial election. They urged him to prioritize the welfare and well-being of constituents if elected.
The AMBO team also paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, who offered prayers for Oyebamiji and placed his governorship ambition in God’s hands.
Notable APC chieftains in Oyebamiji’s entourage included: immediate past Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye; former House of Representatives member and Campaign Director-General of Omisore’s 2018 governorship bid, Hon. Bade Falade; and other former federal legislators—Hon. Gafar Amere, Hon. Yinusa Amobi, and Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni. Others in attendance included Hon. Olasunkanmi Akinola Omotuntun, Hon. Debo Akanbi, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, Hon. Abiodun Awolola, Hon. Festus Babatunde Komolafe, Hon. Sunday Akere, Dr. Tunde Faleye, Hon. Lateef Jayeola, Alhaji Wahab Oyeniyi, Hon. Kamil Oyedele, Hon. Olubunmi Lawal, Hon. Mulikat Abiola, and Hon. Leke Ogunsola, among others.
