Just 13 days before the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Osun State, the party's esteemed Elders' Council, known as Igbimo Agba Osun, has officially endorsed Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) as its consensus candidate.

Oyebamiji, who previously served as the state's Commissioner for Finance and was the immediate past managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has been declared the preferred flag-bearer for the 2026 governorship election.

The endorsement by the Elders' Council, under the leadership of Engr. Sola Akinwumi, a former chairman of the Odu'a Group of Companies, followed an extensive screening exercise. This rigorous process saw the assessment of no fewer than 12 gubernatorial aspirants vying for the party's ticket. A council member, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that Oyebamiji's selection was primarily influenced by his exceptional leadership track record across both the private and public sectors, his unblemished and verifiable credentials, and his significant popularity within the state.

Crucially, the council gave substantial weight to the recommendations put forth by the APC Repositioning Committee in 2024. These recommendations strongly advocated for a power shift to the Osun West Senatorial District, identifying it as a pivotal factor in the selection of the party's candidate.

Furthermore, the Elders' Council reportedly considered previous communications from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which indicated the President's preference for a candidate from Osun West, aligning with principles of fairness and equity. This strategic decision also led to a former national executive of the party being asked to step down, with assurances of an ambassadorial appointment in the near future.

The impact of Igbimo Agba Osun's decision was evident in the public declaration of support for the 'AMBO project' by Professor Deremi Abubakar, a prominent council member from Iwo Federal Constituency, who formally launched the governorship movement days prior. Additionally, Chief Bisi Akande, the former national chairman of the APC, reportedly informed other aspirants about President Tinubu’s clear decision to support Oyebamiji’s candidature for the upcoming 2026 poll, further solidifying the consensus around AMBO.