Thousands of supporters loyal to the former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, operating under the aegis of the Blue Movement, staged a massive rally on Wednesday to mobilise support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate ahead of the August 8, 2026, election.

Addressing party faithful and members of the movement, the Convener and founder, Hon. Wale Alabi, lamented that despite increased federal allocations following the removal of the fuel subsidy, Osun State has not witnessed commensurate development.

Alabi, a close ally of the former Governor, urged residents to vote for the APC in the forthcoming election to restore development and economic prosperity to the state. 

According to him, the return of progressives to power is the only guarantee for genuine growth.

“It is quite unfortunate that we have someone who is not qualified to work as a clerk in an establishment governing the state. If you look at how the state is being run at the moment, you will agree with me that the man at the helm of affairs is not competent,” Alabi stated.

He continued, “This is the first time that the state is receiving such massive allocation from the federal purse. The subsidy savings were returned to state governments to care for the masses, but unfortunately, what we have in Osun is a leadership dancing around and wasting our billions. That has to stop in 2026.”

Clarifying the group’s stance, Alabi noted that while they had internal disagreements previously, they remained APC members at heart.

“In the Blue Movement, we never left the APC; what we did was to operate as a caucus within the party. For a long time, we have been active with party activities. Today, we are celebrating the creation of the Blue Movement and officially reactivating our full participation in the party,” he explained.

“Across the state, these are our representatives. The strength of the Blue Movement is in the thousands. By the grace of God, we are looking at a strategy where every member of the movement can guarantee five to ten votes for our candidate. If you multiply that by our numbers, victory is certain.”

Endorsing the party’s flagbearer, Alabi added, “Asiwaju Munirundeen Oyebamiji is our choice. We believe in his record and his capacity because he performed excellently in previous offices he held. We believe he is the man to restore Osun to economic prosperity. We are here to win Osun back.”

Meanwhile, the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, described the return of the Blue Movement as a potent symbol of unity and a clear indication that the APC is on course to reclaim the state.

“Today’s event is a symbol of unity and a sign that the APC will win the August 8, 2026, governorship election,” Oyebamiji said.

Reflecting on past challenges, he noted, “Unfortunately, during the 2022 governorship election, the Blue Movement stepped aside about six thousand of them. We pleaded and spoke with them, but they insisted on stepping aside at that time.”

Oyebamiji expressed delight at their reintegration, describing it as a major boost for the party’s chances.

“I urge all members of the party to work together with the Blue Movement. They are our members; let us work together from the unit level to the ward level to secure victory,” he concluded.