Bola Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has officially emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 8, 2026. Oyebamiji, widely known as AMBO, secured the party's ticket through a unanimous affirmation at a consensus primary election held on a Saturday at the Imperial Hall of Ebunoluwa International School in Osogbo. Prior to his current emergence, Oyebamiji served as the Commissioner for Finance under the administrations of both Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola in Osun State.

The primary election, a crucial step in the party's preparations for the 2026 off-season election, was chaired by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo. A total of 1,660 delegates, representing 332 wards across Osun State, each with five delegates, participated in the affirmation process. The motion to adopt Bola Oyebamiji as the consensus candidate was put forward by Kunle Adegoke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one of the previously disqualified governorship aspirants. This motion was subsequently seconded by Babajide Omoworare, a former Senator and another aspirant for the race. Governor Okpebholo then called for a voice vote, which received overwhelming approval from the delegates, leading to the official announcement of Oyebamiji as the sole APC candidate for the upcoming election. Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the transparent conduct of the primary election.

Oyebamiji's emergence as a consensus candidate was the culmination of days of intensive consultations and strategic meetings within the APC leadership. Ahead of the primary, eight APC governorship aspirants, including Oyebamiji, had met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja and collectively agreed to support a consensus candidate. This agreement was formalized in a declaration to abide by the party’s decision for an affirmation primary, initially slated for December 13, 2025. Furthermore, a party screening committee had previously barred prominent figures like Iyiola Omisore, a former National Secretary of the party, and six other aspirants from contesting due to issues with meeting sponsorship requirements. Despite his disqualification, Omisore publicly endorsed the consensus arrangement, aligning with the party's broader unity efforts.

In his acceptance speech, Oyebamiji expressed profound gratitude to the primary election committee, his fellow aspirants, the party's esteemed leaders, and the delegates for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to lead a united APC into the forthcoming governorship election. Oyebamiji critically assessed the current state of Osun under Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration, asserting that the state is at a