By Tunde Olamilekan
Ahead of the deadline for submitting the list of nominated candidates for the Osun State gubernatorial election, the All Progressives Congress in the state is working to select a viable running mate for the party’s candidate, Mr Bola Oyebamiji.
osun.life reports that Oyebamiji, the immediate past MD/CEO of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, emerged as the APC candidate for the August 8 governorship during the primary held on December 13.
Oyebamiji emerged after he was affirmed by the 1,660 delegates, having been nominated by one of the aspirants, Mr Kunle Adegoke, SAN, and seconded by another aspirant, Senator Babajide Omoworare.
According to the timetable announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the submission of Forms EC9 (personal particulars of candidates) and EC9B (list of nominated candidates) via INEC’s online nomination portal will open at 9 a.m. on January 15, 2026, and close at 6 p.m. on February 9, 2026.
Sources within the APC told osun.life that the factors being considered by the leadership of the party in picking Oyebamiji’s running mate are religion and voting strength.
A chieftain of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, said the party leaders will consider a Christian who comes from an area with large voting strength.
The chieftain said Oyebamiji, being a Muslim, needed a Christian to balance things up, reiterating his confidence in the ability of the party leadership to pick the right candidate.
The APC chieftain, however, said apart from the religious aspect, it is important for the deputy governorship candidate to come from an area where they have a strong voting strength.
According to him, “Our party leaders are working on getting a formidable partner for Oyebamiji, and I am confident in their ability to get the right person.
“The factors being considered are religion and voting strength. The person to be chosen will be a Christian and must come from a place with a large number of votes. Some names are coming up already, and picking someone who hails from a place with two or more LGAs is a criterion at this point.
“We know who we are competing with; this election is not going to be an easy one, every decision has to be calculated, and the first step is getting the ticket right. We are not in that comfort zone where we can pick a greenhorn as running mate; whoever it is must add value to the ticket.
Our leaders are working assiduously in that regard, and I hope that the overall interest of the people will guide their decision. They are doing everything to ensure that APC presents a formidable team who will not only defeat the incumbent Governor but also take the state to prosperity,” the APC chieftain noted.
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