Bola Oyebamiji became the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2026 Osun State election. The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority was chosen in Osogbo during the party’s governorship primary held at the Ebunoluwa Group of Schools.
Oyebamiji was adopted after two aspirants, Kunle Adegoke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Senator Babajide Omoworare, moved a motion asking party members to accept him as a consensus candidate. The motion was presented to delegates through a voice vote by the chairman of the APC primary committee and Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo. The delegates at the venue supported the decision, leading to Oyebamiji’s confirmation as the party’s candidate.
The primary exercise took place after the arrival of members of the APC governorship primary committee, including Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat representing the Lagos State Governor, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. Party officials and accredited delegates were already present when the process began.
A total of 1,660 delegates took part in the primary, following their emergence earlier in the week. Before the exercise, strong indications had shown that the party planned to present a single candidate, as all seven governorship aspirants reportedly agreed to step down after consultations with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, who was among those disqualified during the screening process, had earlier announced his support for the party’s decision to adopt a consensus candidate. He said he accepted the outcome after discussions with the party leadership and guidance from the president.
With Oyebamiji’s emergence, the APC has now settled its candidate ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for 2026.