Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, dismissed claims that his campaign was relying on the backing of the Federal Government to win the election, saying his support was coming from the people of Osun State.
He spoke on Tuesday during the Arise Townhall, while responding to allegations by the opposition that the APC campaign was depending on ‘federal might’ to secure victory at the poll.
The APC candidate said his extensive consultations across the state had convinced him that residents were prepared for a change in leadership.
According to him, he had visited more than 30 local government areas in the state on three separate occasions as part of efforts to engage party members, community leaders and other stakeholders.
‘I have visited 30-plus local government areas in Osun State three times. Nobody has ever done that,’ he said.
Oyebamiji explained that his first round of visits was aimed at consulting APC members and determining whether they were ready to work towards taking over the state government.
He said the response from party members 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.
The former commissioner said he subsequently visited the local government areas to inaugurate campaign canvassers, adding that the exercise further strengthened his belief that the people were prepared for a change.
‘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.
Oyebamiji said his consultations later extended to community leaders, artisans, market groups, civil servants and other stakeholders.
‘After that, I had to go again to consult with the canvassers, the community leaders, the artisans, the Yalujas, the Babalujas, and even the civil servants. And after that, I was convinced beyond doubt that our people in Osun are ready for a change,’ he said.
He said the support he claimed to have received across different segments of the state had reinforced his confidence ahead of the election.
Oyebamiji also rejected the suggestion that his chances of winning depended on any form of political influence outside the state, saying the election would ultimately be decided by voters.
‘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.
The APC candidate further claimed that his campaign had received endorsements from about 42 sectors and groups in the state within the last two months.
He listed traders, women, youths and other groups among those he said had expressed support for his candidacy.
Oyebamiji also dismissed suggestions that his camp was worried about Adeleke’s perceived popularity, arguing that voters should consider the candidates’ qualifications, experience and capacity to govern.
He urged the electorate to compare his professional and administrative background with that of the incumbent governor before deciding who should lead the state.