By: Peter Emmanuel |
Three political heavyweights in Osun State, former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Secretary to the State Government Fatai Akinbade and former PDP National Vice Chairman, South-West, Tajudeen Oladipo, have rallied behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 election.
The trio declared their support for Oyebamiji on Sunday, with Oyinlola reading the declaration address on behalf of the political stakeholders and their supporters.
Oyinlola, a former PDP leader who is now a member of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), led his supporters and loyalists to the declaration, while Akinbade and Oladipo also mobilised their supporters behind the APC candidate.
The development comes less than two weeks before the governorship election and could strengthen Oyebamiji’s campaign as political parties intensify their final mobilisation across the state.
Despite their declaration of support, the three political leaders did not announce their withdrawal from their respective political parties.
Political Leaders Rally Behind Oyebamiji
The endorsement brings together three experienced figures with long-standing involvement in Osun politics and could add weight to the APC candidate’s campaign ahead of the poll.
Oyinlola served as governor of Osun State and was previously a prominent figure in the PDP before joining the APM. Akinbade also held the position of Secretary to the State Government, while Oladipo served as the PDP National Vice Chairman for the South-West.
Their decision to support Oyebamiji comes as candidates seek to consolidate their support base across the state in the final days before the election.
The political leaders also brought their supporters and loyalists into the declaration, giving the endorsement a wider mobilisation dimension.
The latest development is expected to draw attention among political stakeholders and voters as the APC candidate seeks to build momentum ahead of the August 15 contest.
Oyebamiji Pledges Greater Youth Inclusion
Meanwhile, Oyebamiji has pledged to place young people at the centre of decision-making through political inclusion, development of the creative economy, youth development and sports.
He made the commitment at an interactive session with young people from different sectors at the Adolak Event Centre, Osogbo, at the weekend.
The session, organised by the Directorate of Youths and Students of the Osun APC Campaign Council, brought together students, professionals, civil society organisations, artisans, community groups and other youth clusters.
The participants engaged the APC candidate on his PROSPERITY Agenda and raised issues affecting young people across the state.
Oyebamiji identified sports as a critical sector capable of driving economic growth and creating opportunities for young people. He said he had been holding strategic consultations on sports development and envisioned a strong sports club in the South-West, with governors across the region working together to promote sporting excellence.
APC Candidate Confident of Osun Victory
Oyebamiji also expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in the August 15 election, citing his campaign engagements across all 30 local government areas of the state.
He said the engagements had allowed him to interact directly with residents and gain a better understanding of their expectations and aspirations.
“We shall be duly elected come August 15th,” he said, citing the scale of his campaign activities across the state as one of the reasons for his confidence.
According to him, the campaign was conducted in three phases: the pre-primary period, the inauguration of party canvassers and the direct campaign interface with residents.
“We have traversed all 30 local government areas of the state in three different periods: the pre-primary period, the period of inaugurating the party canvassers, and finally the direct campaign interface with the people of Osun State,” he said.
The endorsement by the political leaders and Oyebamiji’s engagement with youth groups come as parties enter the final stage of mobilisation ahead of the election, with candidates seeking to secure support across the state.
