As the August 8, 2026 Osun State off-cycle governorship election draws nearer, endorsements and support continue to pour in for the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has attracted endorsements from a wide range of political, professional and socio-economic groups across the state.
Among those backing his candidacy are the Association of Market Women across the 30 local governments in Osun State under the aegis of Osun Iyalojas, over 60 former members of the Osun State House of Assembly and the National Assembly elected on the APC platform, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone, as well as various community and professional groups.
Others include Ekiti indigenes resident in Osun State under the Itesiwaju Group, Kohi indigenes, commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders, tricycle (Maruwa) operators, and other grassroots organisations.
The groups, who unanimously declared their support for Oyebamiji, accused the incumbent Adeleke-led administration of failing the people of the state, particularly in the areas of commerce, industry, investment, health and education.
They alleged that the current government has been unable to attract any meaningful investment into the state since assuming office.
Speaking on behalf of market women across the state, the Iyaloja-General of Osun State, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, said traders were ready to vote massively for Oyebamiji in the August 8 governorship election.
Alhaja Asindemade, who also doubles as the Iyalode of Osogboland, criticised the Adeleke administration for what she described as an “aristocratic and exclusionary style of governance”, which she said had paralysed critical sectors of the state’s economy.
According to her, the administration’s “palpable failures” since assumption of office have made it imperative for voters to seek a new direction by electing Oyebamiji as governor.
Also speaking, commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators in the state pledged to mobilise massively in support of Oyebamiji’s candidacy.
The General State Chairman of Okada riders and tricycle operators, Comrade Ismaila Tiamiyu, said the seven unions under his leadership had resolved to work tirelessly to ensure Oyebamiji’s victory.
“We have decided to follow a man of integrity and compassion as found in AMBO. There is no turning back,” Tiamiyu said, while lamenting alleged maltreatment suffered by operators under the current administration.
He added that members had been sensitised across the state and had agreed to mobilise their families and associates to campaign and vote for Oyebamiji.
In separate remarks, leaders of various transport unions, including ACOMORAN, MTUN, MUTAUN, TOAN, ANACOWA, and the Omoluabi Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Association, expressed readiness to work in unison to secure Oyebamiji’s victory.
The operators attributed their support to the perceived people-oriented policies of past progressive governments in the state.
Meanwhile, a former lawmaker who represented Ifelodun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr Mulikat Abiola, has also endorsed Oyebamiji.
According to Abiola, Oyebamiji’s track record in both the private and public sectors, coupled with his reputation for integrity, distinguishes him among contenders.
She described him as a seasoned banker, economist and public administrator with over 28 years’ experience in finance and governance, noting his roles as Managing Director of NIWA, Osun State Commissioner for Finance, and Chief Executive of Omoluabi Holdings Limited.
Abiola added that Oyebamiji enjoys the support of youth groups and President Bola Tinubu, and pledged to champion agricultural transformation, youth employment and economic renewal if elected governor.