Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, is set to emerge as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the Osun State governorship ahead of the party’s primary scheduled for Saturday.
The indication that the APC may adopt the consensus option came following a meeting on Tuesday night between the aspirants and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Aso Villa. Oyebamiji, a former Finance Commissioner with eight years of service under two APC administrations, has reportedly secured broad support, including from several aspirants who were disqualified from the contest.
If confirmed as the consensus candidate, Oyebamiji will challenge Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, who won his party’s ticket with 145 delegate votes at a shadow poll in Osogbo, and Dr. Najeem Salam, the likely candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in next year’s election.
The APC recently used a similar consensus approach in Ekiti State, producing Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming poll.
During the Aso Villa meeting, discussions focused on preventing post-primary crises that could jeopardise APC’s electoral chances. The aspirants committed to unity and cohesion within the state chapter.
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A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that those present included former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Harater Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh, and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
The meeting also saw the participation of APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman Governor Hope Uzodimma, and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola.
President Tinubu commended the aspirants for their commitment to the party and urged them to maintain unity, discipline, and respect for party supremacy. He warned against internal disputes, which he said had previously enabled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to capture the governorship.
President Tinubu said: “You all have a duty and obligation to the party by ensuring the candidate of our party wins the next election in Osun State. You must strengthen the bonds of unity, party supremacy and collective responsibility.
“I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver victory to our party in Osun State. You have my support and that of the national leadership of APC to win the coming election.”
The president said the national leadership would back the consensus candidate.
At the end of the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders issued a joint statement on their commitment to the consensus process.
The communiqué reads: “We, the undersigned aspirants for the 2025 Osun State Governorship Election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having met and deliberated in the presence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and in the spirit of unity, discipline, and loyalty to our great party, hereby declare as follows:
“That we affirm and uphold the supremacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in guiding and determining the most appropriate process for selecting the party’s flag bearer for the 2025 Governorship Election in Osun State.
“That we unanimously agree to abide by the party’s decision to nominate a consensus candidate for affirmation at the APC Primary Election scheduled for Saturday, 13th December 2025.
“That we accept the outcome of the party-led nomination process in good faith, and pledge our total support to the candidate so nominated and affirmed.
“That we commit ourselves to peace, unity, and cohesion within the APC, and pledge not to engage in any act, public or private, that may undermine the integrity of the process or the standing of the party.
“That we will work collectively and individually to ensure the success of the APC at the poll and the consolidation of good governance in Osun State.
“We make this declaration voluntarily, in absolute loyalty to our great party, and in recognition of the guidance provided by Mr President and the National Chairman in the overriding interest of the progress and stability of Osun State.”
