Osun 2026: Oyinlola group backs Oyebamiji, faults Adeleke over exclusion

A major political realignment is unfolding in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has thrown its weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

The endorsement, announced on Sunday in Osogbo, marks a significant development within the PDP camp, coming from a group that includes prominent former party leaders and political stakeholders in the state.

However, Oyinlola stressed that the decision to support Oyebamiji should not be interpreted as a defection to the APC.

‘We remain PDP members’

Addressing supporters and political stakeholders at the event, Oyinlola said the group remained members of the PDP but had decided to support Oyebamiji based on what he described as their conviction that Osun needed a different direction.

He attributed the group’s disagreement with the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke largely to what he described as a lack of inclusiveness in the running of the state.

Oyinlola said members of his group had initially supported the PDP project, mobilised supporters and invested their political capital because they believed it represented the aspirations of the people.

According to him, that relationship gradually deteriorated over concerns about the way the government was being run.

“We believe strongly that no party or government can succeed sustainably when it does not carry its people and leaders along.”

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He said consultation, participation and collective responsibility remained core values of the PDP and should be reflected in governance.

Oyinlola, however, made it clear that the group had not abandoned the party.

“Our decision today should not be interpreted as an abandonment of the PDP. We remain PDP members. We are not here to announce our defection from the PDP,” he said.

Instead, he said the group was exercising its conscience as stakeholders who had served Osun and believed the state required a new direction.

It was on that basis, he said, that they formally endorsed Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, for governor.

Akinbade, Oladipo join endorsement

Oyinlola was joined at the event by former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade, and former PDP National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Tajudeen Oladipo.

Both leaders also urged PDP members across Osun to vote for Oyebamiji.

They described the decision as one made in the interest of the state rather than for personal political gains.

The leaders said their support for the APC candidate reflected what they considered the best political option for Osun at the moment.

Oyinlola said the group’s decision was driven by “necessity, conviction and sincere desire” to advance the interests of the people.

He also accused the present administration of allowing political nepotism to undermine governance, insisting that the state needed a government that would accommodate all interests.

Oyinlola sets agenda for Oyebamiji

Beyond announcing their support, the PDP faction presented a broad governance agenda for the APC candidate.

Oyinlola urged Oyebamiji to prioritise good governance, economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.

He also called for greater opportunities for residents and urged the candidate to ensure that every section of the state was represented in government.

“You must put the people first and run an inclusive government. You must listen to the people. You must ensure that every part of Osun feels represented in your government,” Oyinlola said.

The demand for an inclusive government is particularly significant given that the former governor had identified alleged exclusion as one of the principal reasons behind his group’s decision to support an opposition candidate.

Oyetola welcomes political realignments

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, welcomed the endorsement, describing it as a significant political development.

Oyetola praised Oyinlola as a grassroots politician and national figure whose political experience and record could not be ignored.

He urged residents to remain peaceful and steadfast ahead of the election, expressing confidence in the APC’s prospects.

Responding to the endorsement, Oyebamiji said the backing from the PDP faction had strengthened his confidence in victory.

He claimed that his campaign had received support from different sections of Osun, citing repeated visits to all local government areas in the state.

According to him, traditional leaders, artisans, business operators, teachers, women, youths and elderly residents had expressed support for his ambition.

Oyebamiji also dismissed allegations of possible electoral manipulation, arguing that such claims reflected anxiety over the prospects of defeat.

“I will stand by your mandate. I will not disappoint you. I will make you proud, and by the grace of God, we shall collectively advance the cause of our state when I become Osun State governor,” he said.

The latest development puts the PDP leadership in Osun in a delicate position ahead of the governorship election, particularly as some of the figures involved in the endorsement are prominent former party leaders.