Senator Adams Oshiomhole has stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) needs votes rather than violence and bloodshed to emerge victorious in the Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, made this known on Thursday at the APC mega rally held in Osogbo, the state capital, in support of the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
The former Edo State governor said the APC was committed to a peaceful, free and fair electoral process, urging voters to use their Permanent Voter Cards to determine the outcome of the election.
“Let us be clear. We are a party of peace. That is why we are called progressive. The only ink we need is the black ink for you to put your thumb. Not anybody’s blood,” Oshiomhole said.
He added that the party wanted peace not only in Osun but across Nigeria, while describing President Bola Tinubu as a politician who had invested significantly in the country’s democratic development.
“We are for peace. We want peace in Osun. We want peace across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he said.
Oshiomhole further assured that APC members would uphold democratic principles, including broad participation and credible elections, while distancing the party from those who might seek to return to violent political practices.
Also speaking at the rally, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin urged Osun voters to support Oyebamiji, arguing that the state had enormous human and natural resources that required effective leadership to harness.
Jibrin said Osun’s alleged exclusion from the political mainstream had also limited its ability to benefit from the federal government and APC-controlled states.
According to him, electing an APC governor would bring Osun into the “mainstream equation of Nigerian politics” and enable the state to leverage its relationship with other APC-governed states for development.
“You need to vote on Saturday to bring Osun into the equation of national politics. When you do that, Osun State will gain and get developed,” he said.
The mega rally attracted several APC leaders, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo; and Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Also present was James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, alongside other party leaders, campaign coordinators and supporters.
The rally marked the APC’s final major mobilisation exercise ahead of the August 15 governorship election, coming on the final day of the official campaign period.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed Thursday, August 13, as the deadline for campaigns after rescheduling the election from August 8 to August 15.
Oyebamiji emerged as the APC governorship candidate after the party’s primary election held in Osogbo. He is contesting against incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Najeem Salam of African Action Congress (ADC) as well as candidates of the African Action Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and other political parties.
