|By Chinwendu Nwani
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Abiola Ogundokun, has declared that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s ambition for a second term has collapsed following the emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2026 governorship election.
Ogundokun spoke in Osogbo on Saturday shortly after APC stakeholders unanimously adopted Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as the party’s flagbearer.
He described Oyebamiji’s emergence as a decisive shift in Osun’s political landscape, arguing that it signalled the beginning of the end for the Adeleke administration. Ogundokun urged the governor to step aside, insisting that the state required what he termed more capable leadership.
“With the adoption of Bola Oyebamiji as the APC candidate, the end of the Ademola Adeleke government is in sight. I advise Dr Deji Adeleke not to waste resources pursuing a second term for his brother. That effort will not yield results. Governor Adeleke has had his opportunity; it is time for him to step aside,” he said.
The APC stalwart also praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, describing him as a strategic and composed leader whose calm disposition, he noted, should not be mistaken for weakness.
Ogundokun, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), said the smooth emergence of Oyebamiji reflected the unity and organisational strength of the APC under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
He contrasted the process with what he described as persistent internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties in Osun State.
“The consensus that produced Oyebamiji is a clear message that the APC in Osun is united and focused. Some people expected the process to fracture the party, but instead, we came out stronger,” Ogundokun said.
He further commended Oyetola for steering an inclusive and consultative process, noting that the exercise could have destabilised the party under less patient leadership. He also lauded other aspirants for subordinating personal ambition to party interest.
According to Ogundokun, the APC’s immediate priority is to reclaim Osun State from the Adeleke administration to enable residents benefit from what he described as genuine dividends of democracy, similar to those recorded under the previous APC government.
He also urged Nigerians to sustain their support for President Tinubu’s administration, citing signs of gradual economic recovery.
“Fuel prices are declining, scarcity has eased, infrastructure development is ongoing, and increased funding is being directed to education and healthcare. Security is also receiving greater attention through enhanced funding and recruitment,” he said.
