A group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Osun State led by former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s election.
The group announced its decision in Osogbo on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at a gathering attended by Oyinlola, former Secretary to the State Government Fatai Akinbade and former PDP National Vice Chairman, South-West, Tajudeen Oladipo.
Oyinlola said the group backed Oyebamiji because of concerns over Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, particularly what he described as inadequate stakeholder inclusion.
He stressed that the move was not a defection from the PDP, saying the group remained in the party while exercising its political judgment ahead of the poll.
Oyinlola urged Oyebamiji, if elected, to run an inclusive government focused on economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.
Akinbade and Oladipo also endorsed the APC candidate and urged PDP members to support him, saying their decision was taken in the interest of Osun State.
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The endorsement comes amid a major realignment in Osun politics following months of crisis within the PDP over Adeleke’s second-term bid. Adeleke subsequently left the PDP and adopted the Accord platform, while Oyinlola remained with the PDP.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola welcomed the endorsement and described Oyinlola as a prominent grassroots politician. He also urged residents and political actors to maintain peace ahead of the election.
Oyebamiji thanked the group for its support, saying it had strengthened his campaign. He said his campaign had visited all 30 local government areas about three times and claimed to have received favorable responses from residents.
The APC candidate dismissed allegations of plans to rig the election and pledged to run an inclusive administration if elected.
“I will stand by your mandate. I will not disappoint you. I will make you proud,” he said.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of Osun PDP chairman Sunday Bisi were unsuccessful. Calls to his mobile line did not connect, while he had not responded to a WhatsApp message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.