THE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has expressed confidence in his chances of defeating Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15 governorship election, saying the people of the state are ready for a change in leadership.
Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, dismissed claims that his campaign was relying on the support of the Federal Government or other political forces to win the election.
He said his growing support was driven by the people of Osun, following his extensive consultations with party members, community leaders, traders, artisans, youths, women, civil servants and other stakeholders across the state.
The APC candidate stated this on Tuesday while speaking at the Arise News Osun Governorship Town Hall.
Oyebamiji said he had visited more than 30 local government areas in the state on three separate occasions as part of his consultations and campaign activities.
“I have visited 30-plus local government areas in Osun State three times. Nobody has ever done that,” he said.
According to him, his first round of consultations was aimed at determining whether APC members were prepared to take over the state government, adding that the response he received was overwhelming.
“I have to go and consult the party members if we are ready to take this government or not, and the response was overwhelming. Everybody responded and said that yes, we need to take this government,” he said.
Oyebamiji said he subsequently visited the local governments to inaugurate campaign canvassers, noting that their enthusiasm further strengthened his belief that residents were seeking a change in government.
“I have to go around the local government to inaugurate those canvassers, and they were charged, they were motivated, and they were encouraged. It’s quite illuminating,” he said.
The former commissioner added that he later engaged community leaders, artisans, market leaders, civil servants and other groups, saying the interactions convinced him that the APC was gaining significant support across the state.
“After that, I had to go again to consult with the canvassers, the community leaders, the artisans, the Iyalojas, the Babalojas, and even the civil servants. And after that, I was convinced beyond doubt that our people in Osun are ready for a change,” Oyebamiji said.
He maintained that his expected victory would be determined by the electorate rather than the influence of the Federal Government or any political heavyweight.
“By special grace of God, I’m coming in as the governor of Osun come 15th of August 2026. This is something that is not far-fetched. It is not by any power, whether it is a national power or it is mighty power, it is by the people,” he said.
Oyebamiji also claimed that his campaign had received endorsements from about 42 sectors and groups in the state within the last two months.
He said the groups included traders, women, youths, private-sector operators, civil servants and other stakeholders.
The APC candidate also dismissed concerns about Governor Adeleke’s popularity, urging voters to compare the backgrounds, experience and records of both candidates before making their choice.
He argued that his professional and administrative experience made him better suited to manage the affairs of the state.
“So I want you to just go and bury that idea of ‘marries’, because they are jittery. They are jittery because, of course, I can’t compare,” he said.
Oyebamiji added, “Put Bola Oyebamiji with his background and put the governor side by side, and you want to employ an MD of a private enterprise. Who out of those two would you pick?”