Michael Ofulue Osogbo
In its determination to ensure the emergence of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji popularly called AMBO as the candidate in the next year gubernatorial election in Osun State, the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated the stakeholders across the 30 Local Government areas including the Ife-East Area Office, Modakeke in the state.
The newly-inaugurated stakeholders, according to the party stalwarts, are to ensure the spread of the AMBO’s gospel across the nooks and crannies to facilitate his victory as flag-bearer and next governor of Osun come 2026.
This is even as the party chieftains advocated issue-based campaign strategy and data-driven engagement capable of registering and endearing Oyebamiji more in the hearts of the people in consonance with his impeccable track records.
The stakeholders meeting, held at Ilerioluwa Campaign Office, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, had in attendance leaders and chieftains of the party across the political units, wards, local governments, federal constituencies and senatorial districts in the state.
Some of the party chieftains in attendance included former federal lawmakers, Hon. Yinka Ajayi, Hon. Gafar Amere, Hon. Lawrence Ayeni, Hon. Bade Falade, former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Wale Afolabi; immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and also former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adejare Bello.
Others are immediate past Osun House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon. Timothy Owoeye; former members State House of Assembly, reinstated Local Government Chairmen and Councillors, party members of the Executives Council, former commissioners, Special Advisers, among others.
Addressing the gathering, the leaders of the party in attendance called on the stakeholders who were carefully and painstakingly selected to begin massive campaign, public engagement and enlightenment on the popular choice of Oyebamiji’s candidature.
The party chieftains, who acknowledged the dynamics in the contest for the coveted position within the party, implored the leadership, members and loyalists of the party to refrain from politics of acrimony and campaign of calumny as the election draws nearer.
The leaders emphasised the need for issues-based advocacy in propagating the party and marketing the choice of their candidate before, during and after the contest.
Speaking in turns, the representatives of the nine Federal Constituencies across the state reassured the gathering of their readiness to ensure the emergence of AMBO in the next governorship election.
Ila Federal Constituency Representative, Honourable Abiodun Idowu, said the federal constituency is firm, formidable and ever-ready to work in unison to actualise the emergence of AMBO in the next governorship election.
Rt Hon. Wale Afolabi, Hon. Yinka Ajayi and Alhaji Sule Aderemi who spoke on behalf of Ifelodun Federal Constituency, said members of the constituency were resolute and committed to AMBO’s project.
In the same breath, the representatives of Osogbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Badamosi Olotunde Taofeek Abolubode and Hon. Adebayo Waseeu, declared the readiness of Osogbo people to work for Oyebamiji.
They said the leadership and members of the party in the federal constituency, particularly Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government areas, have been holding AMBO meetings to ensure his emergence.
“Truly you have been hearing Osogbo Agenda. It is true that some may have come together for Osogbo Agenda but as far as we are concerned, the town has not called for a meeting of such agenda. When it comes to vying for governor, I am equally qualified to vie for governor and win. If such agenda is true, it is the town that will call for it. As for us, party supremacy is final. I am saying this through the mouths of our leaders and elders in Osogbo, Olorunda and the Federal Constituency. I am the Chairman of AMBO group in Osogbo and we have constituted coordinators across the units in Osogbo. Today, we are for AMBO in Osogbo. Anybody can do anything he or she feels like doing but for us, we are for AMBO and nothing more,” Abolubode explained.
In their separate remarks, representatives of Ede Federal Constituency, Hon. Abiodun Awolola said: “They may be saying West Lokan, but as for me, I don’t know anyone that is more qualified than AMBO. He has been at the helms of affairs and he has convincing and intimidating track records. He is a character personified and epitome of virtues and values. We don’t need to fight anybody. It is about explanation. Let’s continue to orientate those that do not know about this clarion call to selfless service on this project.
“Let’s begin massive engagement and rigorous campaigns across the nooks and crannies of the state. Let’s begin to sell and market AMBO everywhere we go”
Representatives of Iwo and Irewole Federal Constituencies, Dr. Amidu Tadese and Hon. Christiana Ogunfolaju emphasised the need to continuously spread AMBO gospel across the nooks and crannies of the state. The duo called for continued unity, peace and harmony within the party as the election approaches.
Corroborating, the representatives of Ife, Ijesa-North and Ijesa-South Federal Constituencies, Hon. Fadipe, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye and Hon. Yusuf Oyedele described Oyebamiji’s candidacy as a round peg in a round hole, urging the party leaders to ensure his emergence. They emphasised massive campaigns from units to wards, local governments to federal constituencies and senatorial districts in the state.
Former Speaker, Hon. Timothy Owoeye in his words said, “Politics is all about meeting. That is why we are here to engage the party members in propagating our choice of aspirant in whom we are pleased and satisfied to become the party’s candidate in the next governorship election. So, we are here to showcase and tell the whole world particularly our party leaders and members that Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji AMBO is our choice of candidate to become the next Osun Governor.
“Our confidence in Oyebamiji’s emergence lies in his capacity, competence, capability, marketability, sellability, convincing track records and pedigree in the political landscape within and outside the state. He has served meritoriously as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Osun State Investment Company for years and equally Commissioner for Finance before his current position as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA,” he submitted.
Also, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke BANIK, said the newly inaugurated committee was constituted in support of the aspiration of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji in order to ensure his emergence.
“We have carefully selected our leaders who have agreed to work their fingers to the bones in order to ensure that Oyebamiji emerges as the candidate of APC and subsequently the next Governor of our State come 2026. There in all, we have hundreds of thousands of our loyalists across the Councils working for the success of Oyebamiji. The last three former speakers are members of the committee, over 40 former members of House of Assembly are members of the committee, over 80 percent of the reinstated council Chairmen and Councillors are members of the Committee among others. We have who-is-who as members of the committee that is why we are so delighted having the majority on our side to ensure the emergence of AMBO”, Adeleke espoused.
In his remarks, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Hon. Adejare Bello described West Senatorial District agitation as a child of necessity to ensure fairness, equity, justice, evenness and in the interest of what is good for the State. He said the choice of Oyebamiji is apt and well-thought out in view of his unblemished track records, political pedigrees and antecedents.
“Those of us that are here are in support of AMBO because he is from Osun West. He is a complete gentleman, very respectful and is integrity personified. We pray Almighty God to lead him through to victory to become the next Governor of Osun State”, he added.