Oyinlola-led PDP faction backs APC’s Oyebamiji ahead of Osun poll, citing the state’s interest, inclusive governance and dissatisfaction with the current administration.
A major political development has emerged in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, as a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade, announced its support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
The endorsement was announced on Sunday at the WOCDIF Event Centre in Osogbo during a gathering attended by political leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.
Although the group declared its backing for Oyebamiji, Oyinlola was careful to emphasise that the decision did not amount to a formal defection from the PDP.
The former governor said the members of the group remained PDP loyalists but had decided to support the APC candidate because they believed the overall interest of Osun State should take precedence over partisan considerations.
Oyinlola explained that political parties were important to the democratic process, but argued that party affiliation should not prevent individuals from taking positions they considered beneficial to the people.
“We are not defecting from the PDP but had resolved to support a candidate they believed could provide inclusive leadership and a different direction for the state,” he said.
“Party loyalty is important, but the interest of Osun State must always come first.”
The former governor said the group had previously invested significant effort in the political project that produced the present PDP administration in the state.
According to him, members of the group campaigned, mobilised supporters and committed their political influence to the emergence of the administration because they were convinced that it would meet the expectations of the people.
“We were among the major stakeholders who worked tirelessly towards the emergence of the present administration under the platform of the PDP.
“We believed in that project. We supported it. We mobilised our people for it. We invested our time, energy and political capital in it because we believed that it represented the aspirations of our people,” Oyinlola stated.
He, however, said their relationship with the administration had become strained because of what he described as inadequate inclusiveness in governance.
He argued that government should not be run in a manner that leaves certain groups or sections of the state feeling excluded.
“Unfortunately, along the line, things began to fall apart. 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 state,” he said.
Oyinlola described the endorsement of Oyebamiji as a decision reached after considering what he called the prevailing circumstances in the state.
He said the group’s position was influenced by conviction and a desire to see Osun move in a direction that would benefit its citizens.
He subsequently charged Oyebamiji to make inclusiveness a major principle of his administration if he wins the election.
The former governor urged the APC candidate to listen to residents, accommodate different interests and ensure that no part of the state was left out of government.
“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.
He also reiterated that the group had not abandoned the PDP despite its decision to support the APC candidate.
“We remain proud members of the Peoples Democratic Party. But today, in the interest of Osun State, we stand with AMBO,” he declared.
The gathering also received support from former Osun State Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who used the occasion to canvass votes for Oyebamiji.
Oyetola’s argument centred largely on infrastructure and the condition of roads across Osun State.
He questioned the state government’s handling of road rehabilitation, arguing that the funds available to the state through federal allocations should provide enough resources to address some of the infrastructure challenges confronting residents.
The minister alleged that a number of roads across the state remained in poor condition despite claims by the government that rehabilitation projects had been undertaken.
He specifically referred to the road connecting Osogbo and Ila while questioning the manner in which road projects had been handled by the present administration.
Beyond infrastructure, Oyetola also presented Oyebamiji as a candidate with the financial and administrative experience required to govern the state.
He described the APC candidate as a financial expert capable of introducing reforms and improving the management of the state’s resources.
Oyetola further pointed to Oyebamiji’s record in public service, noting that he had occupied government positions for about 12 years without being questioned or summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former governor consequently urged Osun residents to give Oyebamiji their support at the polls, describing him as a person of good character who would be capable of delivering on his campaign promises.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Wole Oke, also addressed the gathering.
Oke, who previously belonged to the PDP, used the occasion to apologise to the PDP leaders present for his role in supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke during the 2022 governorship election.
He described the gathering as a meeting of “progressive-minded people” who, according to him, had come together because of their concerns about the direction of Osun State.
Oke said political differences should not prevent people from taking decisions they believe would serve the broader interests of the state.
He also sought to strengthen the case for Oyebamiji by highlighting the candidate’s previous experience in government.
According to him, Oyebamiji had accumulated about 12 years of public-sector experience, including his tenure as Chairman of the Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL) and his period as Commissioner for Finance.
Oke argued that such experience had prepared the APC candidate for the responsibilities associated with governing the state.
While acknowledging Governor Ademola Adeleke as a fellow Osun indigene and describing him as a brother, Oke launched a strong criticism of the governor’s administration.
“The gentleman (Governor Ademola Adeleke is a citizen of Osun State; he is our brother, but honestly, he is grossly incompetent,” he said.
Oke further expressed confidence that Oyebamiji would emerge victorious in the governorship contest.
He declared that the gathering itself represented the voice of a section of Osun residents who, he said, had decided that a change in leadership was necessary.
The endorsement by the Oyinlola and Akinbade-led PDP group adds another dimension to the increasingly competitive governorship race in Osun State.
With the group insisting that it remains within the PDP while simultaneously backing the APC candidate, its position underscores the growing influence of individual political alignments and personalities as the election approaches.
The August 15 poll is expected to attract intense competition among the major political parties, with candidates and their supporters seeking to consolidate their bases while also winning over undecided voters and influential political blocs.
For Oyebamiji’s campaign, the public support from the PDP faction provides an opportunity to broaden its appeal beyond traditional APC supporters.
For the PDP, however, the development represents a challenge to party cohesion as prominent figures within its structure openly align with an opposition candidate while maintaining that their decision is motivated by the interest of the state rather than a formal change of party.
The coming days are therefore expected to witness further political realignments, endorsements and campaign activities as the major contenders make their final push ahead of the election.
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