The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has assured residents of the state of his conviction that the poll will be peaceful.
He expressed confidence that security agencies would work assiduously to prevent violence and bloodshed before, during and after the election.
Oyebamiji gave the assurance in Ikire, his hometown, during a special prayer session organised by the Muslim community for the success of his governorship aspiration.
The prayer session, held at the Ikire Central Mosque, drew prominent Islamic leaders, including Chief Imams, clerics, members of the Akire-in-Council, representatives of the Osun State Muslim Community and other Muslim faithful.
The APC candidate was accompanied by his wife, Sekinat Oyebamiji; the Director-General of his campaign team, Oluwole Oke; party faithful and supporters.
Following the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by clerics and Alfas, the Chief Imam of Ikire delivered a sermon to conclude the spiritual gathering.
Speaking on the motive behind the prayer session, some leaders of the Ikire community, including Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladun, called for active participation and mobilisation of youths ahead of the poll.
Also speaking, a leader of the Muslim Community in Irewole, Olayinka Edu, disclosed that such prayer sessions had been organised since 1988 for indigenes of Ikire aspiring to political offices.
“We are not for any political party, but we support any of our members aspiring for political office. We are confident that Allah has answered our prayer.
“I am confident that Oyebamiji is the best choice for the 2026 Osun governorship seat. His philanthropic gestures are worthy of emulation and he has the fear of God. He built 67 mosques in this federal constituency, erected churches and even built the secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“He gave scholarships to our children and youths, and has provided healthcare outreaches for residents across the state. He has shown that he is worthy to be governor even before now,” Edu said.
While thanking the Muslim community for organising the prayer session, Oyebamiji solicited continued spiritual support for the success of his aspiration on August 15.
After the prayer session, various speakers attested to his contributions to the development of the state, particularly his support for religious harmony.
In his sermon, cleric Sheikh Abdulbasit Katibi-Bello lauded a former governor of the state and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for honouring the plea of the late Akire of Ikire to back Oyebamiji’s governorship ambition.
He also prayed for the emergence of Oyebamiji as the 8th governor of Osun State on August 15, 2026.
“Before Oyebamiji was nominated as the APC governorship candidate, he had already been doing so much for everyone. He never sectionalises any group or community. I want to urge everyone to support his ambition for a brighter Osun State,” Katibi-Bello said.
The Chairman of the Irewole Muslim Community, Ademola Lasisi, urged youths to come out en masse to vote for Oyebamiji.
“I want to admonish our youths to go out of their way to mobilise support for votes. It is not only the votes from this local government that will make him emerge; we must strive across other councils to ensure his victory,” he said.
The event also featured free medical services for participants, organised by the Muslim community.
