Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, and other governors have arrived in Osogbo for the All Progressives Congress, APC, mega rally ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
Also present at the rally are Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Ikeja Federal Constituency lawmaker, James Faleke.
The rally forms part of the APC’s final mobilisation campaign for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 election.
The mega rally is being held on the final day of the official campaign period and is expected to draw APC leaders, supporters, campaign coordinators and party members from across the state’s 30 local government areas.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had fixed Thursday, August 13, as the deadline for campaigns after the governorship election was shifted from August 8 to August 15.
Oyebamiji, who emerged as the APC candidate after the party’s governorship primary in Osogbo, is challenging incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, alongside candidates of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, People’s Redemption Party, PRP, and other parties.
The rally comes amid heightened political tension and reports of violence in parts of Osun State in the weeks leading up to the election.
The Accord Party has accused the APC of using federal influence to suppress opposition parties, allegations the APC has rejected.
The election has also been preceded by controversy over the freezing of the Osun State Government’s account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed the anti-graft agency to lift the restriction on the account.
