Politics
AMBO! AMBO!! Everywhere, Why AMBO? – By Kola Odepeju
The way the catchword AMBO, which is the acronym of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji is spreading rapidly across Osun state like the harmattan fire tells much about the personality of the man. Every nook and cranny in the state of Osun today AMBO has become a household name. It’s on the lips of everyone; both old and young ones, youths and children, indigenes and non-indigenes in the state.
The fast and vast acceptability of this campaign slogan reminds me of when we started ORANMIYAN, the name with which the former governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola launched out in 2004 to sell himself to Osun people for his governorship aspiration then. It would be recalled that ORANMIYAN – within just a month that it was launched – had become a mass movement. It had become like sugar attracting ants in multiples from all angles. No doubt the situation we have now in respect of the name AMBO can be likened to the ORANMIYAN or the Ó TÓGÉ movement in Kwara state in 2019.
As one of the promoters of AMBO, l receive calls and messages daily from people especially Osun indigenes in the diaspora inquiring about AMBO. Questions like; Kola, “what’s the full meaning of AMBO?”, “who’s he?”, “why are you supporting him of all the other aspirants?”, “what’s his antecedent?”, “how much of him do you know?”, “can he deliver the goods?” etcetera etcetera. Of course these are questions that are very simple for me to answer. Very simple to answer because I don’t really need to stress myself much to provide answers to them as AMBO is a credible and sellable candidate.
I endeavor to explain to my inquisitors the full meaning of AMBO and that he’s the *Asiwaju of Ikire town* and that he gains this much acceptability within this short time due to the fact that he’s a symbol of charismatic leadership; that some certain attributes endear him to many people. These are integrity, competence, humility, resourcefulness, vision and some other positive character traits.
INTEGRITY: To say that AMBO is a man of integrity is to simply state the obvious as his antecedent testifies to this. A very honest man who has demonstrated this quality in the different capacities he had found himself in the past; both in the private and public sectors he has never been found wanting in terms of moral principles.
COMPETENCE: Talking of competence, AMBO is eminently qualified. He possesses the needed educational qualifications and also the skill requires to provide quality leadership. Given his antecedents as a performer and a result-oriented person, he’s undoubtedly capable of taking Osun to greater heights.
HUMILITY: Another lofty quality that endears AMBO to the people is his humble nature. The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of the English language defines the word *humility* as a modest and low opinion of one’s own importance. Just like his boss, the honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, AMBO’s unassuming nature is not only commendable but enviable. It’s also one of the reasons why he commands massive followership in the state. Never would anyone know that he’s the Asiwaju of Ikire. He’s not a noise maker. He lives a simple life and he’s not given to unnecessary grandstanding to attract attention.
RESOURCEFULNESS: Resourcefulness is defined as the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties. AMBO is a highly resourceful and result-oriented person. He knows how to wiggle around a difficult situation to bring about positive results. As the commissioner for finance under governor Oyetola then he demonstrated that capacity as his creativity brought about appreciable increase in Osun IGR (Internally Generated Revenue). This assisted the state substantially in meeting up with people’s expectations with respect to the duties and obligations of government to the citizens.
VISION: Vision is the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. The hallmark of a visionary leader is not only in having vision, but knowing how to translate that vision to reality. This quality isn’t lacking in AMBO. This is evident in the way he envisioned increase in IGR as commissioner for finance under Oyetola and how he brought it about through his ingenuity. This indicates that translating his vision for a greater Osun to reality is possible, no doubt.
CHARACTER: AMBO is a man gifted with positive character traits viz; honesty, transparency, empathy, loyalty, kindness, generosity; just to mention a few. AMBO’s good character earned him the title Asiwaju of Ikire, no doubt. Like the Yorubas do say; “*Ki a to fi eniyan joyè ninu ìlú, o ni lati jé eni rere*” (Before a person can be made a chief in any community he or she must be of good character).
The aforementioned, are the reasons why AMBO is gaining acceptability daily in the state as people know that he towers above others in terms of those charismatic qualities a leader who should lead the state of *OMOLUABI* must possess. That he has all it takes to take Osun to the next level cannot be disputed.
– Kola Odepeju, political activist and social commentator, writes from Iragbiji, Osun state.
A Nigerian businessman and social media personality, Isaac Fayose, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will struggle to secure meaningful votes in Nigeria’s South-East region during the 2027 presidential election.
Fayose made the statement while reacting to the recent political mobilisation by the City Boys Movement in Imo State. The group, which is widely associated with Seyi Tinubu, had visited the state earlier in the week as part of efforts to build grassroots support for President Tinubu ahead of the next general election.
The gathering reportedly took place in Owerri and featured the presence of several public figures, including socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu. However, the outing quickly drew criticism online after images and videos circulated on social media suggesting a modest turnout at the event.
Reacting to the development on his Facebook page, Fayose mocked the rally and questioned the level of support the president enjoys in the South-East.
He wrote, “The city boys movement outing in Owerri Imo state yesterday was a show of shame …
Security operatives wey Dey there pass the crowd.”
The businessman went further to challenge supporters of the president, insisting that Tinubu would struggle to secure a significant share of votes from the region if the election is conducted fairly.
“I am ready to bet any of them with 10 million naira. President Tinubu won’t get 20% of the total vote cast come 2027”.
The South-East region has historically recorded low electoral support for Tinubu’s political platform. During the 2023 presidential election, voting patterns across several states in the zone showed overwhelming backing for opposition candidates.
Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been stopped from contesting the 2028 governorship election in the state The Federal High Court in Akure, the state capital, gave the ruling on Thursday, March 12, citing the Supreme Court judgment that presidents and governors can spend more than eight years in office Thus, the governor, who has been sworn in twice, would be spending more than eight years should he win the 2028 governorship election
The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, has ruled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state did not have the legal right to contest the 2028 governorship election in the state.
According to the trial court, electing the governor would be a violation of the constitutional limit of eight years in office. Justice Adegoke delivered the judgment that Aiyedatiwa cannot seek re-election in 2028 on Thursday, March 12.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa first assumed office on December 27, 2023, after the death of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He was again sworn in on February 24, 2025, after he was declared the winner of the November 16, 2024, governorship election in the state.
According to The Tribune, the court held that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not allow a president or governor to stay in office for over eight years, citing the decision of the Supreme Court in Marwa v. Nyako to support its claim. A member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Akin Egbuwalo, through his lawyer, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), sought the interpretation of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as it relates to the tenure of the governor.
Reacting to the court ruling in an interview on Channels TV, the governor explained that he did not see it coming, citing that he was only in office to govern and was not even thinking of re-election for now. He added that he will only contest if the people want him to continue and the constitution permits it.
His comment has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their comments:
Safety Cabal
“The Governor is more interested in future opportunities to contest; he has not justified the essence of his being elected. I pity the people of Ondo State.”
Okilori criticised the governor:
“Ondo state is so unfortunate to have this man as Governor. Despite all support masses gave him during Aketi situation and sickness.”
Taiwo alleged that the governor did not have any capital project to point to:
“Baba won do another term by fire by force, the man no get anything to offer the state, no better capital project , 3 more years to go.”
Onyeka Clinton urged the media house to fix the transmission problem:
“Does this station know that its clips blink? Please, they should work on it so that it will be easy for us to watch online post. Sometimes I wonder if they don’t notice it.”
Court Ruling On Re-election: I Never Saw It Coming; I Have To Hire Lawyers To Defend Me; We'll Face It, says Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State Governor. #PoliticsToday pic.twitter.com/QkRREAcvcy
— Channels Television (@channelstv) March 12, 2026
Senator Ipalibo Banigo has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Banigo’s defection letter was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
As reported by The Punch, the federal lawmaker said her decision to join APC is to advance development in Rivers State and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, said her decision is intended to align politically with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“The decision follows extensive consultations with my constituents, my political associates, and critical stakeholders across my senatorial district, given the prevailing internal divisions, protracted leadership disputes, and ongoing litigations within the People’s Democratic Party, which have adversely affected cohesion.
“This decision is also predicated on my resolve to join my political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in supporting President Bola Tinubu, to actualize his re-election bids and enable the President to continue his evident economic reforms, which have significantly improved the economic situation, enhanced currency stability, and driven numerous infrastructural developments across our dear nation.”
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