Ex-finance commissioner joins Osun governorship race

Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, officially entered the 2026 Osun Governorship contest on the All Progressives Congress platform on Tuesday.

When Oyebamiji announced his intention at the APC State Secretariat in Osogbo, he claimed to have the capacity to act as governor. Oyebamiji had previously been the Commissioner for Finance in the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola.

After meeting with members of the party's State Working Committee, the NIWA MD told reporters that the West Senatorial District's agitation for the APC's governorship ticket was justified. He was accompanied by a number of supporters and some notable figures from the former governor's administration, including Timothy Owoeye, who was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly at the time.

True enough, I'm from the West. We are urging our leaders to consider that Senatorial District in order to achieve equity and justice and to bring the equation into balance.

"But whether it's the West, East, or Central, Bola Oyebamiji is capable of running for and winning the governorship," Oyebamiji stated.

Oyebamiji continued, "I have been in this government for almost 15 years," when asked about the special traits that make him an excellent candidate for the APC in the upcoming elections. He claimed to have held a number of public office posts during the previous 15 years.

"I have collaborated with the party's top leadership. I worked in the private sector for around 28 years as well.

"You can tell from looking at my profile that, given the chance, I have what it takes to run a successful administration."