“Why I Backed APC’s Oyebamiji Over Adeleke” — Oyinlola Cites PDP Crisis, Lopsided Projects

● Former Osun Governor Says He Has “No Regrets” Supporting APC Candidate Ahead Of Aug 16 Poll

Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has explained his decision to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, instead of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Saturday’s election.

Oyinlola spoke on Thursday on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.

—“PDP In Turbulence, No Consultation Before Defection”—

Oyinlola said his support for Oyebamiji was informed by the national crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and what he described as a lack of consultation by Adeleke.

“First, when the political party was hit by serious turbulence at the national level, we foresaw that it would eventually affect us at the state level. So, we thought of a way out. And that was why we were thinking of an alternate platform for our candidate to run with,” he said.

He added that discussions had started with the governor and party leaders on an alternate platform, with an agreement for a stakeholders’ meeting after a trip to Atlanta.

“Surprisingly, that did not come up. We only just saw on the social media that Mr Governor had resigned from our party and he had ported to the Accord Party,” Oyinlola said.

—Allegation Of Lopsided Projects—

The former governor also accused the Adeleke administration of concentrating projects in Ede, the governor’s hometown.

“If you have to go back in history, the policy thrust of the founding fathers of Osun State was that there should be even and equal development of the state all around. What we have witnessed under the regime of Governor Adeleke is different,” he said.

“As of today, government has executed about 20 major projects around the senatorial districts. Out of the N362 billion spent altogether, N260.5 billion was spent in Ede. When you skew things in preference to your own area it does not augur well.”

—Rebuttal On “Car Gift” Claim—

Oyinlola also responded to Adeleke’s claim that he bought him a car, saying the vehicle was provided under an existing state law for former governors.

“That is far from the truth. It is a sad development that the governor will continue to tell lies,” he said.

“The Osun State House of Assembly enacted a law whereby some benefits will accrue to whosoever has governed the state. One of the things that should accrue to a former governor is that for every four years, his vehicle should be changed.

“I have been out of Osun State government in the last three years. It wasn’t Ademola that gave me the vehicle. It was the Osun State government. It is a law of the state enacted by the House of Assembly.”

He added that other entitlements such as payment for attached police, cooks and drivers were also due to him, noting: “he still owes me three more vehicles.”

—Weakened PDP Structure—

Oyinlola further cited the weakening of PDP structures in Osun as another reason for his decision.

“As the party, the engine oil that services a political party is a constant meeting. Today, anything pertaining to the party, you have to head to Ede. Our party headquarters in Osogbo has never for a long while held any meeting,” he said.

—“I Have No Regrets”—

The former governor said backing Oyebamiji did not contradict his political philosophy, recalling that he supported former Governor Rauf Aregbesola days before an election after falling out with PDP.

“It was because of what PDP did to me that made me support former Governor Rauf Aregbesola four days to the then election,” he said.

“As an officer who served for 30 solid years in the Nigerian army, we do not jump into conclusions… I think I have done that. I have no regrets whatsoever.”

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2026.