By Ismail Azeez
President Bola Tinubu has urged residents of Osun State to come out en masse on Saturday, August 15, to exercise their right to vote for the candidate of their choice who will lead the state for the next four years.
The President, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship mega rally in Osogbo, urged voters to remain peaceful and exercise their franchise without fear.
He stated, “Feel free to go out and vote for the candidate of your choice. Feel free to go out and ensure that you vote for the party of your choice. But my advice would be to choose wisely. There is a need for you to link Osun State with the centre. There is a need for you to link Osun State with what is happening in Nigeria.”
He assured residents of adequate security to protect lives and property before, during, and after the gubernatorial election.
The President also called on voters not to be intimidated by political activities or comments on social media.
“The President is saying that he has put enough security measures in place for the good people of Osun State to vote peacefully come Saturday, August 15, 2026. Nobody is going to be harassed.”
“Please, don’t feel intimidated. Social media is not the same as polling units. We are saying, go to the polling unit; you will not be molested.”
“I know that in Osun State, the APC is dominant. I know that with people like Chief Bisi Akande, the National Leader of our party; Oyetola, the former governor and now Minister of the Economy; Senator Omisore, former National Secretary of the party; Senator Fadahunsi, and many others.”
“Fadahunsi is one of the most important senators we have in Nigeria. Oyinlola is also part of us. By the way, I want to thank all the other political parties for endorsing AMBO, the APC candidate, and his running mate for Saturday’s election,” Akpabio said.
Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the Accord Party, Professor Chris Imumolen, declared the party’s support for APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, stating that the National Working Committee of Accord had withdrawn its support for Governor Ademola Adeleke to back the APC flagbearer.
He pledged that all Accord members, stakeholders, and supporters would cast their votes for Oyebamiji.
For his part, the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urged stakeholders to come out en masse and vote for the APC candidate.
He stressed that Oyebamiji is close to the President and would therefore be able to attract more federal government infrastructure and development to the state.
Meanwhile, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji appreciated the National Working Committee of the party for its support, describing the APC as a well-structured party across Africa.
He promised that, if elected, his administration would be inclusive in all ramifications, emphasizing that governance is serious business.
In his remarks, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma urged the people of Osun to vote for the APC candidate, saying the party is not known for violence or intimidation, but is built on a solid ideology.
He stressed that the electorate should give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu strong support in his efforts to build a better Nigeria.
Other dignitaries at the mega rally included Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; Chief Adebisi Akande; Adegboyega Oyetola; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Senator Sarafadeen Alli; Edo APC governorship candidate Monday Okpebholo; Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji; APC National Legal Adviser Bashir Ajibola; Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo; Prof. Olu Aina; Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni; APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Senator Adams Oshiomhole; Delta State Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, among many others.