OsunDecides2026: Oyebamiji Confident of Victory After Casting Vote, Hails Peaceful Poll
OsunDecides2026: Oyebamiji Confident of Victory After Casting Vote, Hails Peaceful Poll
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2026 Osun State election, Bola Oyebamiji, has expressed strong confidence that he will emerge victorious as voters across the state cast their ballots in the keenly contested poll.
Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, spoke on Saturday after casting his vote at Ward 9, Polling Unit 011 in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.
The APC candidate said he was optimistic about the outcome of the election, maintaining that the extensive consultations, grassroots mobilisation and engagements carried out by his campaign across Osun had given him confidence in the support of the electorate.
His declaration came amid significant voter participation in his hometown of Ikire, where residents turned out to exercise their franchise.
Oyebamiji had repeatedly maintained in the final days of campaigning that his expectation of victory was based on the support he believed his candidacy had attracted from different sections of Osun society rather than reliance on external political forces. Earlier this week, he said his repeated visits across the state’s local government areas convinced him that many residents wanted a change in government.
Speaking after voting on Saturday, Oyebamiji also commended the security arrangements for the election and expressed satisfaction with the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the exercise at the time he cast his ballot.
The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority entered Saturday’s election following an intensive campaign that took him across communities in Osun, where the APC sought to build support among traders, professionals, artisans, youths, women and other groups.
His confidence is also coming against the backdrop of endorsements claimed by his campaign in the run-up to the election. Oyebamiji said during a pre-election town hall that his candidacy had received backing from dozens of sectors and groups across the state.
The APC candidate has presented his professional and public-sector experience as a major component of his campaign, arguing that Osun requires an administration capable of strengthening its economy, improving internally generated revenue, attracting investment and expanding employment opportunities.
However, the final verdict rests with Osun voters, and Oyebamiji’s confidence will be tested by ballots cast across the state. The election remains a major contest involving Oyebamiji, incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord and other candidates.
With voting and collation progressing, attention is expected to shift to results from the various polling units, wards and local government areas as the state awaits the official declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
For Oyebamiji and the APC, the combination of visible voter participation in his home base and his declaration of confidence has provided an encouraging narrative as the party awaits the final outcome.
