The Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has backed the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The group announced its support on Sunday in Osogbo, where former Governor Oyinlola, alongside other PDP leaders, endorsed Oyebamiji’s bid to succeed Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Oyinlola said the decision was driven by concerns over the way the current administration has handled governance in the state, particularly what the group described as a lack of broad participation in government.
The former governor, however, clarified that the group had not left the PDP or joined the APC. He said the members remained PDP supporters but had chosen to back Oyebamiji because they believed Osun needed a different approach to governance.
According to him, the group’s decision followed consultations among its members and was based on what they considered to be the best interest of the state.
He also called on Oyebamiji, if elected, to form an inclusive government and focus on areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, economic development and youth empowerment.
Former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Fatai Akinbade, and former PDP National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Tajudeen Oladipo, were among the political figures who joined Oyinlola at the event.
Akinbade and Oladipo also urged PDP members across the state to support Oyebamiji at the poll, saying their decision was based on their belief that the APC candidate could offer a better direction for Osun.
The development comes only days before the Osun governorship election and is expected to add to the political battle between the APC and the ruling PDP.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, welcomed the endorsement and praised Oyinlola for his political influence and experience in the state.
Oyebamiji, while responding to the endorsement, thanked the group for its support and promised to work toward an inclusive administration if elected.
He said the backing from different groups across Osun had strengthened his campaign and expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the election.
The APC candidate also assured the Oyinlola-led group that he would respect their support and work with stakeholders across the state to advance its development.
Meanwhile, attempts to obtain a reaction from the Osun State PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, were unsuccessful. Calls to his phone did not connect, while he had not responded to a message sent to him as of the time of filing the report.