By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
President Bola Tinubu has urged residents of Osun State to “choose wisely” during the state’s governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, stressing that “there is a need to link Osun State to the centre.”
Tinubu stated this during the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday, August 13, where the party formally presented its candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the election.
The president, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, also assured the residents of adequate security during and after the polls.
He said security arrangements had been put in place across the state to ensure a peaceful electoral process and urged voters to come out and exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
“Let me assure all Osun indigenes that adequate security has been 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 a 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,” he said.
Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, said the large turnout at the rally was an indication of the APC’s growing support in the state.
“From the crowd here today, I am more than convinced that APC is the dominant party in Osun State. People like former governor and interim National Chairman of our party, Pa Bisi Akande, former National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, and Senator Fadahunsi are enough proof that we have what it takes to win this coming Saturday’s election,” he said.
He also thanked opposition politicians in the state who, according to him, had expressed support for the APC candidate.
“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.
“It shows that we are a peaceful party, and that is why even the leadership of the Accord Party in the state, led by its chairman, has accordingly endorsed our governorship candidate,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also expressed concern over the condition of roads linking Ibadan and Osun State, saying the state deserved better infrastructure.
“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 said.
Akpabio charged the APC governorship candidate to prioritise infrastructure development and improve the delivery of democratic dividends if elected.
“Let me at this point charge our incoming governor, AMBO (Oyebamiji), 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,” he said.
