Politics

‎AMBO: The Game Changer Giving Governor Adeleke and Osun PDP Sleepless Nights Ahead of 2026

Published by admin on October 26th, 2025.

‎AMBO: The Game Changer Giving Governor Adeleke and Osun PDP Sleepless Nights Ahead of 2026

‎By; ABDULLAHI TADESE

‎

Bola Oyebamiji

‎With the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson that “the wagon of changes in this life is not moving automatically except with wholehearted striving of a man to compliment the dictate of destiny,” let me firstly put a little salt into the wound of the Osun PDP and Adeleke’s media guys that the label “Governor-in-Waiting” is not given lightly in political circles. It connotes that an aspirant is not only contesting, but effectively positioning as the successor-in-waiting. Therefore, in the case of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), the combination of his visit to all local governments of Osun State, stakeholders’ buy-in, strong endorsements and public pledges (even before the major general campaigns) has created a narrative where he is no longer just contending, but he is projected.

‎

‎It is becoming increasingly clear that tension is quietly brewing in the camps of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the political atmosphere in Osun State thickens ahead of the 2026 governorship election. At the center of this tension is one name; Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji popularly known as AMBO. A man whose rising political profile is giving Governor Ademola Adeleke and his media handlers sleepless nights.

‎

‎With a reputation built on competence, diligence, loyalty, and integrity, AMBO has emerged as not just an aspirant within the All Progressives Congress (APC), but as the leading figure feared by the ruling party in the State. And rightly so, not only the PDP, people have seen in AMBO a candidate with both the grassroots appeal and technocratic pedigree to unseat Governor Adeleke in 2026.

‎

‎According to Aldous Huxley, “facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” In Osun today, the fact is simple; AMBO’s popularity is real, and it is shaking the foundation of the political establishment.

‎

‎Unlike the theatrics and showmanship that characterize much of Osun politics today, AMBO’s story is one of quiet service and dignified leadership. As a former Commissioner for Finance under the Oyetola’s administration, he managed the State’s economy with discipline, prudence, and transparency. Throughout his tenure, there was no scandal, no mismanagement, and no controversy. This is a rare feat in Nigeria’s political space.

‎

‎He is widely respected as a ‘perfect gentleman,’ humble, calculated, and deeply rooted in both governance and the political system. These qualities are exactly what make him an existential threat to the PDP’s re-election strategy.

‎

‎As Peter F. Drucker said and I quote, “the best way to predict the future is to create it.” AMBO is not waiting for the political winds to shift in his favor. He is actively creating a future that reflects responsible leadership, fiscal prudence, and visionary governance.

‎

‎Oyebamiji’s strategy hinges on extensive grassroots engagement. He has visited all the 30 local governments and Ife East area office of the state and held consultations with party stakeholders, party members, and grassroots stakeholders across the state. AMBO has built significant momentum ahead of the internal primary scheduled for December 2025. He appeared as a politically organised, strategically minded candidate-to-be who has built both institutional support and grassroots capital.

‎

‎However, despite his clean slate and rising public support, the PDP and some of its affiliated media personnel have launched desperate attempts to malign him. From subtle propaganda to online smear campaigns and behind-the-scenes political manipulations, every effort has been made to diminish AMBO’s influence but all to no avail.

‎

‎What has particularly exposed the PDP’s anxiety is their strategy of disruption within the APC. Recognizing AMBO’s dominance as a likely flagbearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC), the PDP has attempted to exploit internal party differences. They lavish praise on other APC aspirants, and say AMBO has already shared political positions among his team, these are not out of genuine admiration, but in a bid to stir rivalry, divide party unity, and ultimately prevent AMBO from clinching the party ticket.

‎

‎But the plan has failed. APC leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots members have seen through the smokescreen and are increasingly closing ranks behind the man they believe can rescue Osun from stagnation.

‎While the PDP builds walls of fear and propaganda, AMBO is quietly building momentum, unity, and solutions.

‎

‎Their tactics, instead of weakening AMBO, have exposed the PDP’s desperation. The more they try to pull him down, the more his credibility soars. The more they attempt to divide the APC, the more united the party becomes around his vision.

‎

‎From the perspective of the people of Osun, several reasons why the PDP is experiencing “sleepless nights” about Bola Oyebamiji are;

‎

‎Incumbent performance matters: In Osun State, the poor state of key services under the incumbent administration of Sen. Ademola Adeleke. For instance, the State has been earning more than 300 percent of what it used to get. Yet, the ground realities are not commensurate.

‎

‎Collective intelligence and grassroots turnout: AMBO’s tour to all local government areas and active stakeholders’ engagement affirmed that he is harnessing the dynamic of collective intelligence. The kind of mass turnout during the consultation tour was significant.

‎

‎Leadership credibility and party fatigue: By being a technocrat with experience in both public office and private sector roles, and building visible support, Bola Oyebamiji has adopted the model of change-agent leadership which poses a challenge for a party that is being seen as resting on its laurels.

‎

‎When desperation replaces strategy, it becomes obvious who truly fears defeat. One time, Gov. Adeleke pushes and is still pushing to join the APC but the road that leads to the door to get in has been underrated and the door shut on him totally. Let it be said plainly that the PDP fears AMBO because they know he will unseat Sen. Ademola Adeleke in 2026. Their sleepless nights are not caused by noise but by numbers and the strategic moves of the AMBO movement. His candidacy is not based on ambition alone, but on a solid reputation, experience in governance, and a vision for Osun State’s rebirth.

‎

‎As the AMBO movement continues to gain momentum, one truth is becoming clearer by the day, you cannot suppress competence, and you cannot silence credibility. In Osun 2026, AMBO is not waiting for the future. He is shaping it.

‎

‎Let me round with the words of Albert Einstein, “no problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” AMBO represents a higher level of political consciousness. He is not offering recycled solutions or old rhetoric. He is offering transformation rooted economic sense and administrative excellence.

‎

‎All the efforts to discredit, distract, or divide have failed. The PDP’s game is not clever politics but it’s a sign of panic and the warming up to their loss in 2026. In the AMBO movement, we stand, unmoved, unshaken, and unstoppable.

‎

‎Prince Abdullahi A. TADESE (Wisdom Prince)

‎Iwo Local Government.

‎