A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has declared its support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The endorsement was announced on Sunday in Osogbo during a gathering of members and political stakeholders loyal to the Oyinlola-led faction.
Oyinlola, who was joined by a former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade, and former PDP National Vice Chairman, South-West, Tajudeen Oladipo, said the group decided to support Oyebamiji after becoming dissatisfied with what it described as a lack of inclusiveness in the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
He, however, stressed that the decision did not amount to defection from the PDP.
Oyinlola said the group had initially supported Adeleke’s political project because it believed it represented the aspirations of the people, but added that differences emerged over the handling of government affairs.
“We believed in that project. We mobilised our people for it. We invested time, energy and political capital in it because we believed that it represented the aspirations of our people.
“But unfortunately, along the line, things began to fall apart, and one of the major issues that have created this unfortunate situation, in our considered view, is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our dear state,” he said.
According to him, consultation, participation and collective responsibility were important values of the PDP that should be reflected in governance.
“We believe strongly that no party or government can succeed sustainably when it does not carry its people and leaders along,” he added.
Oyinlola insisted that the group remained members of the PDP despite its decision to support the APC candidate.
“Let me repeat that our decision today should not be interpreted as an abandonment of the PDP. We remain PDP members. We are not here to announce our defection from the PDP. We are not here to renounce our membership of the PDP,” he said.
He said the decision was an exercise of their conscience as political stakeholders who believed Osun State required a different direction.
“It is on this basis that we have resolved to officially declare our support for Mr Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Oyinlola stated.
The former governor urged Oyebamiji, if elected, to prioritise good governance, economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.
He also called on the APC candidate to run an inclusive government in which all parts of the state would feel represented.
“You must put the people first and run an inclusive government. You must listen to the people. You must ensure that every part of Osun feels represented in your government,” Oyinlola said.
Akinbade and Oladipo, in their separate remarks, urged PDP members across the state to support Oyebamiji at the polls.
They said their decision was motivated by what they described as the need to put the interests of Osun State and its people above personal or partisan considerations.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, welcomed the endorsement, describing Oyinlola as a grassroots politician and national figure with significant political experience.
Oyetola urged residents to remain peaceful throughout the electoral process, expressing confidence in the APC’s chances.
“The victory is ours by the grace of God,” he said.
Responding to the endorsement, Oyebamiji expressed appreciation to the Oyinlola-led group and other groups that had declared support for his candidacy.
He said his campaign had taken him to all 30 local government areas of the state on several occasions and claimed that he had received widespread support from different sections of the electorate.
“Our fathers have backed my ambition. Artisans, business operators, teachers, women, men, children and the elderly have all declared their support for my ambition to become governor,” he said.
Oyebamiji also dismissed allegations of possible electoral manipulation, saying those raising concerns about rigging were expressing fear of defeat.
On the demands made by the Oyinlola-led group, the APC candidate pledged to run an inclusive administration if elected.
“I thank you for the confidence and trust reposed in me. I will stand by your mandate. I will not disappoint you. I will make you proud, and by the grace of God, we shall collectively advance the cause of our state when I become Osun State governor,” he said.
The development adds a new dimension to the political contest ahead of the Osun governorship election, with the endorsement by prominent PDP figures potentially reshaping alliances among the major political parties in the state.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Osun State PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile line did not go through, while he had not responded to a message sent to him via WhatsApp as of the time of filing this report.