From Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Following the tensed defection rumour of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC, the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority and leading gubernatorial aspirant in the 2026 governorship poll, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly called AMBO, on Saturday called on the APC loyalists and supporters to remain calm, saying “there is no cause for alarm”, noting that “the leadership of the party are in control of the situation”.
This is even as Ijesa-North Federal Constituency APC leaders and members threw their weights behind his candidature as AMBO consultation trail moved to Obokun and Oriade Local Government Areas of Ijesa-North Federal Constituency.
Speaking at the event, Oyebamiji reiterated the party’s commitment to return Osun to progressive government come 2026, assuring that nothing can destabilize the structure already built.
“Though our leader, Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola is coming to tell you everything as regards the defection rumour of the current Governor, Ademola Adeleke, into our revered party – APC, he sent me to tell you that there is no cause for alarm. He asked me to let you know that there is nothing to fear about. Our leaders are in charge and no reason to panic. The leaders are in control. No one will reap the fruit of your labour.
“As regards the councils’ imbroglio, our Minister is doing excellently well to ensure that justice prevails no matter whose ox is gored. Our councils are in the control of our elected chairmen and councillors and by the grace of God they will be in the control till we return to government come 2026”, he added.
Appealing to the people of the federal constituency to support his ambition, Oyebamiji pledged to build on the good legacies of the progressive governments, particularly the monumental strides made by the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are here to seek for your unalloyed support for our party and for me personally. I want to declare that all of us contesting are competent because our party is blessed with best and competent people. However, I want you to unanimously support me in the primary of our party and subsequently, governorship election.
“To the glory of God, I have been in government in the last couple of years particularly in the last 14 years and I have served in different capacities – as Managing Director, Osun State Investment Company Limited and Finance Commissioner respectively, and I am currently serving at the federal level as Managing Director National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA. I was with two former Governors in the state. I worked with former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola and God helped us to do wonders in my different positions. Notably, the state went seriously into really estate and oil and gas investments which fetched the state quantum leap in its revenue.
“We built 36 units of 3 bedroom in Ikeja Lagos and almost 20 units of 4 bedroom flats in Abuja. We built a mega oil retailing station which is being managed by the NNPC and is giving the state big revenue. In just five years as the MD of OSICOL, the capital base of the company leaped from N360 million to close to N10 billion. Also as the Commissioner for Finance in the tail end of the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola, the troubling half-salary regime came to an end shortly after my appointment.
” Under the administration of Oyetola as Commissioner for Finance, we paid salary and pension in full as and when due. We also offset N97 billion of the inherited debt despite the lean federal allocation available to us. My political and career experiences have prepared me adequately for the task ahead.
“I carefully listened to your views and reviews, particularly what you needed at the moment especially on the lack of workable and functional health centres and deplorable road network in your local areas. We will do everything to support you and place our dear state to the topmost heights ever known in history”, he said.
Earlier, the former Secretary of the party during the administration of Chief Bisi Akande, Hon. Tunji Adesokun applauded Oyebamiji’s tremendous contributions to the growth, development and progress of the party thus far, describing him the “head that the cap fits”.
Adesokun, who spoke on behalf of all the leaders of the party in Obokun Local Government, acknowledged the rare expertise that Oyebamiji brought to bear while serving the state at two major offices held, saying his antecedents are testimonial to his competence and charisma to lead the state.
