As the All Progressives Congress (APC) begins consultations to select a running mate for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Munirudeen Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of the 2026 Osun State election, a group has renewed calls for greater gender inclusion in the party’s ticket and the broader electoral process.
The group, Women Vangaurd urged the party’s candidate, Oyebamiji, to pick a female Christian as his running mate, adding that she should also be an indigene of Ile-Ife.
The group further assured that such decision will put APC at advantage of securing over 300,000 votes in support of the party aside other factors.
The demand of group is contained in a communiqué issued at its 2026 maiden meeting held in Ile-Ife, on Thursday signed by its state coordinator, Madam Kikelomo Elempe and Secretary, Omolara Adedayo which was made available to newsmen.
The group commended the leadership of APC for the unity, maturity, and discipline exhibited before, during, and after the Osun State Governorship primary election which produced Oyebamiji as consensus candidate.
The communiqué read in part “Arising from extensive consultations, we deem it imperative to draw the attention of the party leadership to the strategic importance of selecting a female running mate for our gubernatorial candidate, as this will significantly broaden the party’s electoral appeal and enhance its prospects of victory in the forthcoming election. In this regard, we strongly recommend that serious consideration be given to the Osun East Senatorial District.
“Available electoral statistics indicate that Osun East Senatorial District has a total of 689,708 registered voters, with Ile-Ife alone accounting for 343,707 voters across four local government areas, making it the single largest voting bloc in Osun State. This demographic advantage underscores the district’s strategic relevance to the APC’s electoral success.
“Consequently, we unanimously recommend that a competent female Christian indigene of Ile-Ife be considered as the running mate to Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji(AMBO).”
The APC Women Vanguard boasted a strong membership base across Osun State, saying, selection of a woman as deputy governorship candidate will greatly enhance women’s political participation and mobilisation, thereby strengthening the party’s chances of victory in this critical election.
They demanded for a seasoned politician who is an administrator who has served with distinction in various capacities and must be a grassroots mobiliser.
“Our membership strength, which exceeds 50,000 across the state, is expected to grow exponentially if female deputy governor is picked in the progressive. We will secure over 300,000 votes from women folks
“We are sure that the decision to pick a female running mate for AMBO will poll more votes considering the fact that the last two administrations picked male deputy governors, even the incumbent administration has largely sidelined women in governance, from the cabinet members to the House of Assembly, which currently has no female representation.
“We therefore respectfully appeal to the leadership of our party, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola; Chief Bisi Akande; the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru; and our gubernatorial candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, to approve the nomination of a female Christian running mate from Ile-Ife as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC in Osun State.
The group, however expressed confidence that the decision will not just strengthen the party’s electoral fortunes but also translate into an overwhelming victory at the polls.
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