Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
OSOGBO — President Bola Tinubu has made a direct appeal to voters in Osun State to back the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in Saturday’s governorship election, arguing that the state must be “linked” to the Federal Government to reap developmental dividends.
The President’s message was delivered through Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, who represented him at the APC’s mega rally in Osogbo on Thursday, just 48 hours before the crucial August 15 poll.
Akpabio conveyed the President’s firm assurance that robust security arrangements had been activated across the state to guarantee a peaceful voting process, urging residents to cast their ballots without fear.
“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,” Akpabio told the enthusiastic crowd.
“Nobody is going to be harassed. This is a pointer to the fact that he truly believes in democracy and democratic governance.”
The Senate President stressed the strategic imperative of bringing Osun into the APC fold, warning that the state risked missing out on national development initiatives if it remained politically disconnected from the centre.
“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 declared.
“Over 30 governors are already in the APC. We are waiting for Osun State.”
Akpabio dismissed fears of electoral intimidation, particularly from online sources, urging voters to focus on the physical act of voting rather than being distracted by social media chatter.
“Social media is not the same thing as polling units. We are saying: go to the polling unit. You will not be molested,” he said.
He appealed to all political actors and their supporters to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
In a dramatic twist that could reshape the electoral landscape, the National Chairman of the Accord Party, Professor Chris Imumolen, formally threw his party’s weight behind the APC candidate, confirming the decision had the full backing of the National Working Committee.
“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 announced.
“Today, we declare our support for AMBO. Come Saturday, all Accord members in Osun State should go to their polling units and vote for AMBO.”
The Accord Party leader expressed absolute confidence in Oyebamiji’s prospects, predicting a decisive victory for the APC standard-bearer.
“By August 15, insha Allah, by the grace of God, AMBO will be sworn in as the elected governor of the state,” he said.
With the election now just days away, all eyes will be on Osun State as voters prepare to decide whether to follow the President’s call or chart a different course.
