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By Prosper Olayiwola

Topmost aspirant Bola Oyebamiji is set to become the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.

The primary is slated for Saturday.

The hint on the plan by the party to adopt the consensus option was dropped after Tuesday night’s meeting of the aspirants with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Aso Villa.

Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, is a former Finance Commissioner, who served for eight years in two APC administrations.

Many of the disqualified aspirants pledged to support the consensus plan.

The potential consensus candidate will face the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) likely candidate, Dr. Najeem Salam, in next year’s poll.

Adeleke was elected Accord Party candidate yesterday by 145 delegates at the shadow poll in Osogbo, the state capital.

The APC also adopted a consensus for the Ekiti primary that produced Governor Biodun Oyebanji as candidate for next year’s poll.

Discussions between the President and the eight aspirants at the meeting focused on how to prevent post-primary crisis that could herald failure at the poll.

The Osun contenders pledged to maintain unity and cohesion in the chapter.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the meeting was attended by former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Harater Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

Also at the parley were APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma; and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

President Tinubu praised the aspirants for their commitment to the party and urged them to avoid divisions that could undermine APC’s chances during the election slated for August.

He appealed for unity, discipline and respect for party supremacy, warning against a repeat of internal disputes that enabled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win the last governorship contest.

President Tinubu said: “You all have a duty and obligation to the party by ensuring the candidate of our party wins the next election in Osun State. You must strengthen the bonds of unity, party supremacy and collective responsibility.

I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver victory to our party in Osun State. You have my support and that of the national leadership of APC to win the coming election.”

The president said the national leadership would back the consensus candidate.

At the end of the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders issued a joint statement on their commitment to the consensus process.

They affirmed party supremacy in determining the nomination procedure, unanimously agreed to accept a consensus flagbearer, and pledged full support for the consensus candidate.

The communiqué reads: “We, the undersigned aspirants for the 2025 Osun State Governorship Election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having met and deliberated in the presence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and in the spirit of unity, discipline, and loyalty to our great party, hereby declare as follows:

“That we affirm and uphold the supremacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in guiding and determining the most appropriate process for selecting the party’s flag bearer for the 2025 Governorship Election in Osun State.

That we unanimously agree to abide by the party’s decision to nominate a consensus candidate for affirmation at the APC Primary Election scheduled for Saturday, 13th December 2025.

“That we accept the outcome of the party-led nomination process in good faith, and pledge our total support to the candidate so nominated and affirmed.

“That we commit ourselves to peace, unity, and cohesion within the APC, and pledge not to engage in any act, public or private, that may undermine the integrity of the process or the standing of the party.

That we will work collectively and individually to ensure the success of the APC at the poll and the consolidation of good governance in Osun State.

“We make this declaration voluntarily, in absolute loyalty to our great party, and in recognition of the guidance provided by Mr President and the National Chairman in the overriding interest of the progress and stability of Osun State.”

Omisore embraces consensus candidacy

Senator Iyioola Omisore, an aspirant, who was not present at the Aso Villa meeting, endorsed the consensus option last night.

Omisore, former APC national secretary, said on Television Continental (TVC) that party supremacy is sacrosanct.

He said: “In the situation we are now, every party has a structure. We have a leader. Since Mr President has said that he is going this way, all of us have to follow. I will support a consensus candidate

In the recent happenings in APC, I don’t lose anything. Rather, I am learning. When I saw how it was going, I met with Mr President to make him look at some ways, but after that Governor Hope Uzodinma called me to discuss Osun politics with me, I told him that he should let our leaders in Osun State decide and he agreed.”

Omisore, however, said for the party to win the election, it should change its strategy.

Adeleke said he would retain power in next year’s poll by adopting the winning strategy of President Tinubu.

The governor said despite the federal might wielded by the APC, Accord Party will triumph on poll day.

He said: “On federal might, the President is a democrat. He was once in my shoes when he was the governor. Despite the federal might, he won his election.

I learn a lot from President Bola Tinubu. He won’t force anything. Let the people decide and I believe that my track record will speak for me in 2026.”

Adeleke was the only aspirant during the shadow poll witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The governor, who spoke on Channels Television last night, said despite his defection, his scorecard in his first term would convince voters to renew his mandate at the poll.

He said: “My people are not interested in going back to dark days. Osun people are wiser. They know good government and bad one. It is me they are talking about, not even the party right now. The party is just a platform.”

“When they compare my administration with the past, Osun has suffered in the era of half salary. I came, I brought hope and light.

“My records are there. I am building bridges in Ile-Ife, and dualising roads in Ila, Ede. I don’t abandon projects. The ones abandoned by Aregbesola, Oyetola, I completed before starting mine. “Workers are happy with me, as I implemented the minimum wage. In health, Osun came first and Lagos second. The $500,000 Bill Gates grant, I gave it back to the health sector.”

Adeleke also highlighted his achievements in other sectors, saying that he had delivered on the five-point agenda.

He insisted that based on his performance, he will get a second term.

Adeleke added: “We are not going into war as the opposition have been shouting. We are going to vote and Osun People will decide.”

The Secretary of Primary Committee, Abdulazeez Salaudeen, announced the result of the primary election by the delegates of the party.

Subsequently, the National Chairman of the party, Maxwell Ngbudem, presented the party flag to the governor.

At the primary were Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Secretary to the State Government(SSG) Teslim Igbalaye, Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye and 14 commissioners.

Also, Adeleke’s elder sister, Yeye Dupe Sanni-Adeleke, Special Advisers, other aides, other PDP chieftains and members of Inter-Party Advisory Council(IPAC), were present.

At the primary were Commissioners Biyi Odunlade (Political Affairs), George Alabi(Land and Physical Planning), Mayowa Adejoorin(Environment and Sanitation), Jola Akintola(Health), Ogungbile Olusola(Finance), Adenike Adeleke(Federal Matters), Dr B.T. Salam(Special Duties), Oluwole Jimi-Bada(Attorney-General) and Dosu Babatunde(Chieftaincy Affairs).

Adeleke thanked the delegates for their support.

He said: “We are today launching the battle for continuity of progress, good governance and democratic dividends. My candidacy signals the sustenance of the golden movement when the light of development continues to shine across our state. We vow never to relent in the rewarding service to our people.

“We note today as the point of resolution never to go back to the dark days but to advance further into the journey of modernisation. For a long time, Osun has witnessed failed promises. In the last three years, we actualize the yearnings and aspirations of our people. Ours is a government of talk and do.”

Nation