As attention shifts to Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has urged voters to support its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, saying the state needs a change of leadership.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed August 15, 2026, for the Osun governorship election. The contest is expected to be closely fought, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking a second term and Oyebamiji flying the APC flag.
In a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC said the need for quality leadership, effective representation and equitable distribution of resources informed its call for a change of government in the state.
The party alleged that Osun had suffered from poor leadership, nepotism and uneven development under the present administration.
“Regrettably, Osun and Oyo states fell into the wrong hands in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and the sad results of this development are evident in the key sectors of both states today,” the statement said.
The party further alleged that political and social divisions had deepened in Osun, while appointments and infrastructure were not being distributed fairly across communities.
It also criticised the relationship between the two states and other states in the South-West, attributing what it described as political differences to the situation.
The APC, however, said the forthcoming election provided Osun voters with an opportunity to change the direction of the state by electing Oyebamiji, whom it described as competent, intelligent and capable of uniting the people.
“Fortunately enough, the good people of Osun State have been offered another opportunity to get it right by electing a competent, intelligent and unifier as their new governor.
“Dr Bola Oyebamiji of the APC is the ideal man for the job and he will not disappoint if elected, as he is prepared to deliver on his electoral promises,” the party said.
The Oyo APC also urged voters to reject violence and what it described as brigandage, promising that an APC administration would prioritise peace, accountability and accelerated development in the state.
The statement came as the major contenders intensified their campaigns ahead of Saturday’s poll, with Oyebamiji, Adeleke and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salam, among the leading contenders in the race.