The All Progressives Congress (APC) has selected former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, as its consensus candidate for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
Oyebamiji’s emergence was formalised at the party’s primary held in Osogbo after two aspirants, Kunle Adegoke and Senator Babajide Omoworare, moved a motion endorsing him as the party’s flagbearer.
The motion was subjected to a voice vote by the chairman of the APC governorship primary committee and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and received overwhelming support from delegates.
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Declaring the outcome, Okpebholo said, “By the power conferred on me, I present to you Bola Oyebamiji, as the governorship candidate of our party.”
The primary took place at the Ebunoluwa Group of Schools in Osogbo, with senior party leaders in attendance.
Okpebholo had earlier indicated that the exercise would produce a candidate through affirmation.
He arrived at the venue alongside the committee’s co-chairman and Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as other members, including Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Obafemi Hamzat representing the Lagos State Governor, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Ahead of the primary, the APC had produced 1,660 delegates expected to take part in the exercise.
There were also indications that the party’s seven governorship aspirants agreed to support a consensus candidate following a late-night meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, later endorsed the arrangement. Speaking on TVC News on Wednesday, Omisore, who was among aspirants disqualified by the party’s screening committee, said he accepted the decision in line with guidance from Tinubu.
The former Osun State Commissioner for Finance, accompanied by his wife, Dr Shekinat Oyebamiji, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, outlined his vision for the state, pledging sweeping social and economic reforms if elected governor.
He said his administration would focus on “elevating the standard of living for every Osun resident by alleviating poverty, eradicating hunger, and promoting a functional educational system for all.”
Addressing healthcare, he described the state’s health sector as being in a poor state and vowed to overhaul it. “The health system in Osun State is currently moribund; we intend to revitalise it, thereby reducing the need for medical tourism,” he said. He stressed that the welfare of citizens, alongside peace and communal harmony, remains a top priority, noting that these elements are essential for growth, innovation and shared prosperity.
Calling for collective action, he urged residents and party members to support his ambition. “Consequently, I invite well-meaning citizens of Osun State and our party faithful to join us on the progressive journey to reposition our state for greater heights. The task before us is huge but achievable,” he said.
He also appealed to unity within the progressive camp, saying, “Therefore, as I offer myself for service, I sincerely invite my co-aspirants, members of our political party, and other Progressives who may be outside our fold now to join me in reversing our dear state from its drift into total systemic collapse.”
The APC candidate expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and the Osun APC, and acknowledged the backing of the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and members of the National Working Committee.
He further praised former governors of Osun State, Chief Adebisi Akande and Adegboyega Oyetola, for their roles in keeping the party united and positioning it strongly to reclaim power in the state.
Background
Oyebamiji is a Nigerian politician and banker who currently serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He previously served as the Commissioner for Finance in Osun State under the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.
Before he was appointed commissioner, Oyebamiji was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Omoluabi Holdings Limited, formerly known as the Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL).
In 2023, he was appointed Special Adviser to Oyetola, the pioneer Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, a role he held before he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority.
Oyebamiji was born in Ikire, in the Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.
He began his formal education at A.D.C. Primary School, Oke-Ada, Ikire, between 1971 and 1977.
He proceeded to Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire, from 1978 to 1982, where he obtained his Secondary School Leaving Certificate.
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He earned both his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
Oyebamiji later obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Lagos State University in 1997 and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Ado-Ekiti in 2004.
