Major political parties in Osun State have intensified their campaigns and mobilisation efforts ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord Party making final moves to win voters.
The ADC held its final campaign rally at Nelson Mandela Park in Osogbo, where its candidate, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam, received the backing of prominent party leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, National Chairman David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Speaking at the rally, Atiku appealed to Osun voters to support the ADC, recalling the backing he had previously received from the state during his presidential campaign and his support for Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Atiku said he had returned to Osun to thank the electorate for their past support and seek their votes for the ADC.
He described the ADC as a credible alternative to the APC, Accord and other political parties, expressing optimism that the turnout at the rally was an indication of victory for the party.
Mark also urged voters to protect their votes, saying the ADC was confident of winning the election and would return to Osun to celebrate Salam’s inauguration.
Aregbesola, meanwhile, said the ADC would prioritise education, youth empowerment, healthcare, agriculture and social welfare if elected. He also promised the return of social intervention programmes, including school feeding and youth empowerment initiatives.
Salam pledged to prioritise the welfare of residents and promised to create jobs for 20,000 youths within his first 100 days in office. He also promised to address the state’s electricity challenges.
APC Takes Campaign to Osun Markets
The APC also intensified its campaign in Osogbo, following the recent endorsement of its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
A team led by Oyebamiji’s wife, Dr Sekinat Oyebamiji, alongside other prominent APC women, visited major markets in the state capital to mobilise traders ahead of the election.
At Orisunmbare Market, the APC team urged traders to vote for Oyebamiji, assuring them that his administration would work toward the economic development of Osun State.
Dr Oyebamiji appealed to market women to mobilise voters for the APC, urging them to vote massively and avoid violence on election day.
Former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s wife, Kafayat, also displayed a specimen ballot paper to the traders and explained how to identify the APC logo on the ballot.
Adeleke’s Wife Demands Free, Fair Election
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s wife, Titilola Adeleke, led members of the State Executive Council and women’s groups on a peaceful protest in Osogbo to demand a free, fair and peaceful election.
The protesters marched from the Osun State Government House through the Lameco area before terminating the procession at the headquarters of the Osun State Police Command.
They carried placards protesting alleged intimidation, harassment and violence against political actors.
Mrs Adeleke called on security agencies to ensure the safety of residents and political stakeholders, while also urging the police to investigate alleged threats against some political figures.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Erale Etaifo, commended the protesters for conducting the demonstration peacefully but warned that rival political groups converging at the same location could trigger tension.
Etaifo said the police command had been deployed to Osun ahead of the election because of the heightened political tension in the state.
He assured the protesters that their complaints would be considered and warned that anyone attempting to manipulate the election would be arrested and prosecuted.
Accord Demands INEC Logistics Review
The Accord Party Campaign Council also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review its logistics arrangements ahead of the election.
The campaign council alleged that some coordinators and transport operators listed to handle the movement and distribution of election materials across the state were known APC chieftains and supporters.
The council argued that their alleged involvement could undermine confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.
Director-General of the Accord Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, made the demand in a letter addressed to the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner dated August 10.
Osun has about 2.3 million registered voters who are expected to participate in the governorship election across the state’s 30 local government areas and the Modakeke Area Council.