Osun 2026: Massive PDP members' defection to APC, a sign of eagerness to return progressive party - President Tinubu's appointee, Lekan Badmus.

...says Adeleke's government a monumental failure

.. As Osogbo APC leaders endorse AMBO's governorship project, inaugurate ward, unit campaign coordinators

A chieftain of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who is the Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, has berated the inept administration in the state, noting that Governor Ademola Adeleke has irredeemably failed the people of the state.

Badmus noted that the current socio-economic and political reality has shown clearly the mass rejection of the PDP-led government in the state as manifested in the mass defection of the PDP's chieftains and members to the opposition party in Osun and across the country. 

The Osun ex-commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration described the ongoing gale of defection as a welcome development and a strong indication that the Osun citizens and residents are resolute, curious and eager to return the APC in the governance of the state in 2026. 

This is even as the party leaders converged on the Osogbo Federal Constituency Secretariat of the party, Ogo-Oluwa area of the state capital, and endorsed Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO's) project to ensure his emergence in the party's primary governorship election in 2026. 

The APC AMBO Movement in the state capital  also inaugurated AMBO's campaign coordinators in all the political units and wards across Osogbo Local Government Council Area. 

The endorsement and inauguration ceremony has in attendance members of Osogbo APC Elders' Council led by its Chairman and Vice Chairman, Prince Adegboye Fefe. 

Other leaders in attendance are Alhaji Onibonokuta Hamzat Vice Chairman; Alhaji Baruwa Oduoye; Elder Agbelekale Muritala; Chief Adeyemo; Alhaja Odelade; Alhaji Adasobienijogun; Alhaji Waheed Adedokun; Elder Giwa; Alhaji Bandy; Alhaji Oguntoke; Alhaji Adetomi among others. 

Speaking at the venue of the programme, Badmus said there is no doubting the fact that the incumbent Governor  Adeleke led-PDP government has failed the state and her people. 

In his words: "There is no doubting the fact that the incumbent PDP administration has failed our state with series of indices to note how inept and poorly it has administered our people. However, we must work relentlessly to ensure that our party produces the next governor in the next year’s election", Badmus stressed.

He acknowledged and commended the bold step taken by the defectors saying: "I am also more than glad to know of the reception of former stakeholders of the PDP including Hon. Oluwole Oke, Mr. Yinka Adeojo, Alhaji Kazeem Adio and many others who left the party in government to join us. 

"It is a strong indication that the people are eager to see the return of the APC in the governance of Osun State", the NPA chief stated.

While imploring the newly-inaugurated campaign coordinators to buckle up in the collective efforts to ensure the emergence of Oyebamiji at  both the primary and main governorship elections, Badmus said, "these coordinators form the larger AMBO Team in Osogbo local government with a mandate to work hard to ensure that our aspirant emerges as the flagbearer of our party and subsequently come victorious in the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.

"Efforts so far indicate that Osogbo is fully rooting for AMBO and with the events of yesterday, Thursday and today, one can tell that we are fully prepared to coast to victory. 

"Indeed, our party under the leadership of my mentor, His Excellency, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola and all our leaders, is stronger than ever to deliver our party to victory come next election", Badmus added. 

Speaking on behalf of the Osogbo APC Elders' Council, Alhaji Adegboye Fefe and Alhaji Baruwa Oduoye described the initiative as a round peg in a round hole just as they wholeheartedly endorsed the candidature of Oyebamiji for the next governorship election in Osun. 

The duo who couldn't hide their feelings said the choice of Oyebamiji to be the flag-bearer of the party and subsequently emerge the next governor of Osun State is a collective effort of all just as they implored the party loyalists to maintain decorum and high sense of civility before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

The Chairman of AMBO Movement Stakeholders in Osogbo Local Government and former State House of Assembly legislator, Hon. Taofeek Badamosi Olatunde Abolubode, acknowledged and hailed the massive turnout of the leadership and members of the party to the programme, saying it is a signal to victory and triumph.

Abolubode who described Oyebamiji's outstanding feats as unprecedented expressed delight in the fact that AMBO's project has become a household name across the nooks and crannies of the state. 

In their separate remarks, the Secretary of AMBO Movement Stakeholders in Osogbo Local Government, Prince Ademola Olaniyan; Alhaji Kazeem Yusuf and Hon. Fasilat Omobolanle Jimoh Gbogbolomo extolled Oyebamiji's virtues across the socio-political and economic lines which had culminated into the plethora of successes recorded in both the private and public sectors.  

The occasion was graced by the Chairman, Olorunda Local Government Council Area, Hon. Kudaisi Kudus, members and loyalists of the APC in Osogbo and beyond.