As a final word on the Osun State governorship poll on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu told the people of the state to go out on Saturday and vote the candidates of their choice without fear of intimidating.
Tinubu enjoined all political stakeholders to desist from violence, intimidation, and harassment, and embrace peace before, during, and after governorship election
The president, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign, said he had put in place enough security measures to ensure free, fair, and credible election tomorrow.
However, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday, condemned the recent killings in Esa Oke part of the state and the subsequent destruction of property. Adeleke also commiserated with the families of the deceased and other victims of the recent political violence across the state. He ordered more security presence in Esa Oke and its environs.
As part of efforts to ensure security during the Osun State election, Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, announced the prohibition of state government-established security outfits, quasi-security groups, and private security organisations from participating in election-security duties.
Disu said the ban was consistent with established Nigeria Police Force (NPF) election-security directives, in a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu.
The APC rally attracted several APC governors and thousands of party supporters.
Tinubu stated, “Let me assure all Osun indigenes that adequate security havebeen provided all over the state to ensure people come out to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice without any fear or intimidation.
“Feel very free to cast your votes for the candidate of your choice. My advice, however, is that you choose wisely because there is need to link Osun State to the centre. We are waiting for Osun to join us.
“I can assure you that nobody will molest you. You can only be molested on social media and not during voting. Nobody will harass or intimidate one another. Go out and vote a party of your choice and choose wisely.”
For his part, Akpabio said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fought for democracy, therefore, he would not allow anybody to molest the already established democracy.”
The senate president equally presented the APC flag to the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
Akpabio described it as the “flag of authority and power”, saying, “This is your symbol of your authority.”
A statement by Akpabio’s Media Office, explained that Tinubu expressed confidence in APC’s chances of winning Saturday’s election, saying the large turnout at the campaign was evidence of the party’s growing acceptance in the state.
“From the crowd here today, I am more than convinced that APC is the dominant party in Osun State,” he said.
He cited the presence of former governor and erstwhile interim National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande; former National Secretary of the party, IyiolaOmisore; and Senator Fadahunsi as indications of the party’s strength ahead of the poll.
Akpabio also commended opposition figures and political groups that had expressed support for Oyebamiji, describing the development as evidence of APC’s broad acceptance.
He stated, “Let me, on behalf of Mr President, thank the opposition parties in the state led by former governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, for queuing behind our candidate.”
He said the support demonstrated that APC was a peaceful political organisation capable of accommodating people across political divides.
Akpabio also referred to the reported endorsement of Oyebamiji by the Accord Party leadership in the state, saying it further strengthens APC’s position ahead of the election.
Beyond the election, Akpabio challenged Oyebamiji to prioritiseinfrastructure development and improve the living conditions of residents if elected.
Akpabio said, “On a personal note, I am not impressed by the condition of roads from Ibadan to this state. Osun deserves more than this. Osun should be better than what we have now.”
He charged the APC candidate to begin the transformation of the state immediately after assumption of office.
He stated, “Let me at this point charge our incoming governor, AMBO, to ensure that he transforms Osun State through the provision of quality infrastructure and delivery of true dividends of democracy from his very first day in office.”
Kwara State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urged stakeholders to come out en masse and vote for the APC candidate.
AbdulRazaq stressed that Oyebamiji was close to the president, and would be able to attract more federal government presence to the state, saying he would not disappoint the people of the state.
Oyebamiji, in his remarks, appreciated the APC National Working Committee (NWC) for the support given to him, saying the party is well-structured.
He promised that if elected, his government would be an inclusive, stressing that government is a serious business.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said the people of Osun should give their vote to the party’s candidate, saying APC is not known for violence, trouble, and intimidation, but is built on good ideology.
Uzodimma stressed that the people should give Tinubu good support in an effort to fix a better Nigeria for all.
In an interesting twist of events, a former presidential candidate of Accord Party, Professor Chris Imumolen, declared support for Oyebamiji.
Imumolen claimed that all Accord members, stakeholders, supporters would give their vote to the APC candidate.
Others at the rally included Speaker of House of Representatives, TajudeenAbbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jubril; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Chief Adebisi Akande; Adegboyega Oyetola; and Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Equally present were Ondo State Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Kwara State Governor Abdulrazaq AbdulRahman; Edo State Governor Monday Okpobolo; Ekiti State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji; and APC candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sarafadeen Alli.
There were also National Secretary of APC, Bashir Ajibola; Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Monday John; APC governorship candidate in Lagos State, and incumbent Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni; National Chairman of APC, Professor NentaweYilwatda; Prof Olu Aina; and Senator Adams Oshiomhole. Arise News