Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other top members of the All Progressives Congress gathered on Thursday to support the party's Osun State governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. This event took place during a large rally in Osogbo, marking the end of the party's campaign for the upcoming election.
Akpabio was there representing President Bola Tinubu. He was joined by Chief Bisi Akande, the first APC National Chairman, along with current APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. Also present were Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Abbas Tajudeen, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Other governors present included Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Usman Ododo of Kogi State, and APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, among others.
Speaking for President Tinubu, Akpabio assured voters in Osun State about their safety. He encouraged them to come out and vote.
"On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, let me simply say hello to the good people of Osun State. The President has asked me to come and greet you. He said I should encourage you to remain peaceful."
"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."
Akpabio emphasized that President Tinubu believes in democracy. He mentioned, "This is a man who has spent two-thirds of his life fighting for democracy. Today, God has placed him as the leader of this nation and the President, and he is not ready to allow any group of people to undermine democracy or molest any citizen."
He urged the people of Osun State to feel free to vote for their preferred candidates on Saturday. He added, "Feel free to go out and ensure that you vote for the party of your choice."
Akpabio asked voters to make wise choices. He said it is important to connect Osun with the Federal Government.
"There is a need for you to link Osun State with the centre. Over 30 governors are already in the APC. We are waiting for Osun State."
He asked, "Are you ready to join? Are you ready to vote? Are you coming? Please, don’t feel intimidated. Social media is not the same thing as polling units. We are saying, go to the polling unit. You will not be molested. Even if you are being attacked on social media, I think you should exercise restraint."
Akpabio expressed confidence that APC is the leading party in Osun State. He mentioned several party leaders, including Chief Bisi Akande, former governor Oyetola, Senator Omisore, and others.
"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, people like Oyetola, the former governor and now Minister of the Economy, Senator Omisore, former National Secretary of the party, Senator Fadahunsi and a lot of others."
Akpabio also thanked other political parties for backing Oyebamiji, saying he saw when former governor Oyinlola led the PDP to support him. "They are all part of what is going to happen here. So, I want to assure you that we believe in peace," he said.
In their speeches, Oyetola, Akande, and Omisore encouraged Osun voters to support Oyebamiji, stating he can manage the state's affairs well.
Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, spoke in both Igbo and English. He promised that Oyebamiji would provide good governance if elected.
A factional chairman of the Accord Party, Prof. Chris Imumolen, also showed support for Oyebamiji. He stated, "As the National Chairman of the Accord Party, today, and with my Working Committee, they are all here. We have stated our support for AMBO."
Imumolen concluded by urging all Accord members in Osun State to vote for AMBO on Saturday.
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