Osun Guber: ‘We remain PDP members’ — Oyinlola-led faction backs APC’s Oyebamiji

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has declared support for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Oyinlola announced the group’s endorsement on Sunday at a political gathering in Osogbo, where he said the decision was driven by concerns over what he described as a lack of inclusiveness in the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The former governor was accompanied by former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Fatai Akinbade, and former PDP National Vice Chairman, South-West, Tajudeen Oladipo.

Oyinlola, however, stressed that the group had not defected from the PDP.

He said the decision to support Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, was based on conviction and what the group considered to be the best interest of Osun State.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders and members of the group, Oyinlola described the endorsement as a “child of necessity, conviction and sincere desire” to advance the interests of the state.

He criticised the Adeleke administration for what he described as a lack of inclusion in governance, saying the group had initially supported the administration because it believed in its political project.

“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,” Oyinlola said.

He argued that sustainable governance required consultation, participation and collective responsibility, adding that these were values traditionally associated with the PDP.

‘We remain PDP members’

Oyinlola specifically rejected suggestions that the endorsement amounted to a defection to the APC.

“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 group was exercising its right as political stakeholders to support a candidate they believed could provide a different direction for Osun State.

“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 added.

The former governor urged Oyebamiji, if elected, to prioritise good governance, economic development, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment.

He also called for an inclusive administration that would ensure every part of the state felt represented.

Akinbade and Oladipo, in their separate remarks, urged PDP members across Osun to vote massively for Oyebamiji, saying their decision was motivated by what they described as the interest of the state rather than personal considerations.

Oyetola welcomes endorsement

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, welcomed the development, describing Oyinlola as a grassroots politician and national political figure whose track record could not be ignored.

Oyetola urged residents to remain peaceful and committed to the electoral process, expressing confidence in the APC’s chances.

“The victory is ours by the grace of God,” he said.

Oyebamiji promises inclusive government

Responding to the endorsement, Oyebamiji said the support he had received from different sections of the state had strengthened his confidence ahead of the election.

He claimed that his campaign had visited all the local government areas in the state about three times and received warm receptions from residents.

“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,” Oyebamiji said.

He also dismissed allegations of possible electoral malpractice, saying such claims reflected fears of defeat.

On the demands made by the Oyinlola-led group, the APC candidate pledged to run an inclusive government 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.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Osun State PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile phone did not connect, while he had not responded to a message sent via WhatsApp as of the time of filing the report.