The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has intensified his grassroots mobilisation efforts for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in preparation for the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
In a significant political move, Oyebamiji led a loyalty walk through the streets of Ede, the hometown of the incumbent Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The event was designed to galvanise public support for the APC despite Ede being widely seen as a PDP stronghold.
Oyebamiji, a frontline aspirant for the APC governorship ticket, was joined by notable party stalwarts, including Hon. Ghaffar Ajani—an influential APC leader and kinsman of Governor Adeleke—and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd at the APC secretariat in Oke-Gada, Ede, Hon. Ajani expressed satisfaction with the turnout of party members and residents, which he described as a strong indication of the party’s growing acceptance even in the governor’s backyard.
“I am truly delighted by the impressive number of people who came out today to show their support for the APC and for our leader, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji,” Ajani stated. “This massive turnout not only demonstrates the deep-rooted love our people have for the progressive agenda of our party, but it also confirms the trust they place in the leadership capacity of Oyebamiji to move Osun State forward.”
He emphasized that the loyalty walk was not just a show of strength but also a strategic mobilisation effort to secure Oyebamiji’s emergence as the party’s flagbearer and to ensure the APC’s success in the forthcoming August 8, 2026 gubernatorial election.
In his remarks, Asiwaju Oyebamiji expressed confidence in the APC’s chances at reclaiming the Osun governorship seat in 2026. He stated that the people of the state were already disillusioned with the current administration and eager for a return to purposeful and progressive governance.
“I am confident that the APC will triumph in 2026,” he said. “Our people have seen the difference. They now know that the present government has failed to offer any meaningful development, and has instead resorted to political propaganda and deception. Osun State is ready to be returned to the path of genuine progress.”
Oyebamiji praised the resilience and dedication of the APC members in Ede, asserting that the strong support witnessed during the walk reflected a broader state-wide yearning for change and a return to the progressive ideals the APC represents.
As the build-up to the 2026 governorship election gathers momentum, the presence of prominent figures such as Oyebamiji, Ajani, and Bello in Ede signals a strategic attempt by the APC to make inroads in a traditionally PDP-dominated territory, setting the stage for what promises to be a highly contested race.