Oyetola Forum endorses Oyebamiji for Osun 2026, begins grassroots mobilization

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Oyetola Consultative Forum (OCF) has formally collapsed its structure into the governorship campaign of the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hon. Bola Oyebamiji, with the inauguration of 1,500 ward coordinators across Osun State ahead of the 2026 election.

Convener of the forum and former Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olanike Omoworare, said the OCF—initially established to resolve intra-party disputes during former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s re-election bid—has now been repositioned to drive grassroots mobilization for Oyebamiji.

Omoworare stressed that the group has extended its influence down to the polling unit level, training coordinators to ensure the APC remains united and battle-ready for the primaries.

She said, “We are just getting started. We are going to train everyone to mobilize within the party ahead of the primaries. That’s why we’re holding this meeting with the ward coordinators—we have three coordinators per ward. We also have people at the polling units, but these ones we’re training now will, in turn, train those at the polling unit level.

“Part of our mission is to ensure Bola Oyebamiji becomes the party’s flagbearer. We are ready for the primaries even now, but we’ve just begun. We already have about 1,500 coordinators, and each of them has their own network, meaning we have over 15,000 people mobilized.”

Also speaking, Hon. Amere AbdulGafar from Iwo Federal Constituency described Oyebamiji as a unifying figure who has been actively engaging with APC members across all levels, including youths, women, and elders of the party.

AbdulGafar expressed confidence that Oyebamiji’s inclusive approach and leadership qualities make him the ideal candidate to win the primary election.

One of the party stakeholders at the event, Otunba Femi Aborisade, also urged members to rally behind Oyebamiji, saying: “Considering the antecedents of Bola Oyebamiji, we have seen that he is a prudent and hardworking man—capable of delivering and leading Osun indigenes to the promised land in 2026. He clearly understands what the people of Osun truly need and is ready to provide for their needs.”