Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
AHEAD of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, Muslim scholars and Imams across the state have thrown their weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in a major endorsement event held in Osogbo on Monday.
The gathering, which drew hundreds of Muslim faithful, religious societies and scholars from across the state, took place at the country home of Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Tunde Badmus. The endorsement saw participation from a wide cross-section of Islamic leadership, including the Imam Ikire, Imam Iregbiji, Alasaro Osogbo, Ratibi Isale-Osun, Mojimohu Osun, Zumuratul Muhmineenah Osun, Qodiriyyah Osun, United Imams Osun and Progressive Muslim Teachers Osun, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Badmus explained that he had personally reached out to Muslim leaders across Osun to convey that the APC remained the party deserving of their support, describing Oyebamiji’s candidacy as clear and eminently worthy of their backing.
He urged Muslims in the state to rally behind the APC candidate, stressing that the move was intended to lay the foundation for President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 general elections.
“We are purposely here on the regard of President Bola Tinubu. The presidential election is close now and the foundation has to be laid. That is why I, the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, and all the Muslims in Yorubaland have one or two respect for me. And the one of Osun, which we have been together for over 40 years now, I reach out to them all and this is why I call them and inform them that this election that is coming, the party of Mr President which is APC is the party to go,” Badmus said.
“We can see that the candidacy is very clear. All the Muslim societies are here to endorse and support the party of Mr President and it is the direction I ask them to go.”
In a notable display of grassroots support, Badmus revealed that approximately 500 deaf and dumb individuals were also in attendance, having come with their voter cards to demonstrate their decision to vote for Oyebamiji.
“They came with their voters card to show they have decided to go for Oyebamiji for this governorship election and they are not ready to sell their voters card. They are here to show their support for the party of Mr President,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Zumuratul Muhmineenah, Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Olaoye, said the gathering was organised to celebrate what he described as divine intervention and to express confidence in Oyebamiji’s impending victory.
Olaoye stated that the Muslim community was supporting the APC candidate because of his commitment to Islam and his longstanding contributions towards supporting Islamic causes.
“We are all endorsing Oyebamiji and we are doing all this because Oyebamiji is a dedicated Muslim. We follow someone who is dedicated to Islam and he has been doing many things to support Islam from time being. That is why we are here,” Olaoye said.
He expressed optimism that the APC candidate would emerge victorious at the election, adding that the group would return after the poll to offer thanks to Allah for the outcome.
The endorsement comes as political campaigning intensifies in Osun State ahead of the crucial gubernatorial contest, with both the APC and opposition parties making final pushes to secure voter support across the state’s 30 local government areas.
