​OSOGBO – In a seismic shift that promises to reconfigure the political landscape of Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, the Araj Empowerment Foundation (AEF), a formidable grassroots organization with over 20,000 members, has formally withdrawn its support for incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke and declared its backing for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).

​The foundation, led by the renowned Osogbo-born philanthropist Engr. Raji Ayoola Kehinde, was a critical pillar of support for Governor Adeleke’s 2022 electoral victory. Through its now-dissolved affiliated initiative, “Imoleans,” the group mobilized thousands of voters and spearheaded widespread vocational training across all local government areas. However, the alliance, once touted as a partnership for grassroots development, has collapsed under the weight of perceived neglect.

​Inside sources within the AEF indicate that the decision to part ways with the administration stemmed from a sharp cooling of relations following the 2022 election. The leadership of the foundation expressed disappointment that Governor Adeleke distanced himself from the very grassroots structures that laboured for his rise to power. According to members of the foundation, the administration’s failure to maintain a collaborative relationship with the group prompted a complete re-evaluation of its political loyalties.

​As the state gears up for the upcoming polls, the AEF leadership initiated a rigorous, internal assessment of the current field of contenders, which includes Governor Adeleke, now running under the Accord Party; Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam of the ADC; and Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the APC.

​Engr. Raji, speaking on the foundation’s pivot to the APC, highlighted that AMBO was the only candidate who engaged the organization directly, demonstrating the humility and “Omoluabi” values that the foundation prioritizes. This endorsement finds synergy with the broader political discourse, as even former Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola recently lauded AMBO for his character, modesty, and administrative temperament.

​The strategic importance of this endorsement cannot be overstated. With 10,000 registered members and an extended network of over 20,000 supporters—many of whom are active voters—the AEF possesses the mobilization machinery capable of swinging the electoral pendulum. Political analysts suggest that the foundation’s move serves as a significant boost to the APC’s campaign, providing a structured, grassroots-focused voting bloc that could prove decisive on August 15.

​For the AEF, the support for AMBO is framed not merely as a political alignment, but as a quest for a leadership style characterized by integrity and empathy. By throwing its weight behind the APC candidate, the foundation has signaled a desire for a governance model that prioritizes the welfare of the people over the politics of convenience, effectively setting the stage for one of the most high-stakes electoral contests in the history of Osun State.

​Iamconfidence Oluwafemi is a member of the AMBO Media Fronts, a member of the Digital Committee of the APC Campaign Council 2026, and a political economist.

​As this move by the Araj Empowerment Foundation significantly alters the political calculus for the August 15 election, what specific impact do you anticipate this will have on the campaign strategies of the other major candidates in the final weeks leading up to the vote?