Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has led a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to endorse the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Oyinlola, who announced the decision in Osogbo on Sunday, said the group was backing Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, because of what he described as the lack of inclusiveness in the administration of the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
The former governor, however, clarified that the endorsement did not amount to a formal defection from the PDP, insisting that he and members of his group remained members of the opposition party.
He was joined at the event by a former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade, and former PDP National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Tajudeen Oladipo.
Oyinlola described the decision to support Oyebamiji as a product of conviction and what he called a sincere desire to advance the interests of Osun State.
According to him, the group had initially supported the Adeleke administration because it believed in its political project but became dissatisfied with what it described as a failure to carry stakeholders along in the running of government.
“One of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state,” Oyinlola said.
He argued that sustainable governance required consultation, participation and collective responsibility, stressing that no government could successfully administer the state without carrying its people and political leaders along.
Oyinlola said the group therefore resolved to support Oyebamiji as part of efforts to provide what he described as a different direction for the state.
“Let me repeat that 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.
He nevertheless urged members of the PDP in Osun to vote for Oyebamiji during the election, saying the decision was taken in the interest of the state and not for personal gains.
The former governor tasked Oyebamiji, if elected, to prioritise good governance, economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.
He also urged the APC candidate to run an inclusive administration in which all sections of the state would feel represented.
Similarly, Akinbade and Oladipo appealed to PDP members to support Oyebamiji, describing the decision as necessary for the progress and development of Osun State.
Reacting to the endorsement, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, welcomed the development and described Oyinlola as a respected grassroots politician whose political influence remained significant.
Oyetola urged residents to remain peaceful during the election, expressing confidence in the APC’s chances of victory.
Responding, Oyebamiji thanked the former governor and members of his group for their support, saying the endorsement had further strengthened his campaign.
The APC candidate said his campaign had visited all the local government areas in the state several times and received support from various groups, including artisans, business operators, teachers, women and youths.
READ ALSO:2027: Presidency, Atiku clash over killings, terrorism record
Oyebamiji also dismissed allegations of possible electoral rigging, describing such claims as signs of fear of defeat.
On the demands of the Oyinlola-led group, he pledged to run an inclusive government if elected.
“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 development adds a new dimension to the political contest ahead of the Osun governorship election, with the endorsement by the former governor and prominent PDP figures potentially strengthening Oyebamiji’s campaign.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Osun State PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, were unsuccessful, as calls to his mobile line did not go through and he had not responded to a WhatsApp message sent to him as of the time of filing the report
