Osun 2026: Ododo, Okpebholo Mobilise Support for APC Candidate, Ooni Urges Peaceful Poll
By J.O. Abel-Ontop
OSOGBO/ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE — August 6, 2026:
Kogi Governor Ahmed Ododo and Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo mobilise support for APC candidate Oyebamiji ahead of Osun 2026 as Ooni urges peaceful polls.
Governors Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State and Monday Okpebholo of Edo State have intensified mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of the August 15, 2026 election.
The two governors, alongside other APC leaders and stakeholders, rallied support for Oyebamiji during engagements with Kogi, Edo and other non-indigenous communities resident in Osun State, urging voters to support the APC candidate and extend what they described as the progressive development agenda of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to the state.
The mobilisation came as the governors also paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at his palace in Ile-Ife, where the monarch commended their leadership qualities and appealed to political actors and supporters to prioritise peace before, during and after the election.
At the APC mobilisation rally in Osogbo on Wednesday, Governor Ododo urged Kogi indigenes and other residents of Osun State to reciprocate the support and developmental interventions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by voting for Oyebamiji on August 15.
He said governance should be measured by tangible achievements rather than political rhetoric, arguing that the APC-led administration had demonstrated its commitment to development through visible projects and policies.
“Governance is not by propaganda; governance is a serious business. Our campaign is issue-based. Tell us what your party has done for the people, and we will tell you what the APC has done,” Ododo said.
The Kogi governor highlighted several interventions of the Tinubu administration, including the approval of the Kogi International Airport, establishment of a Special Agro-Processing Zone and Free Trade Zone, rehabilitation of critical federal roads, improved security support and increased resources available to sub-national governments.
He urged voters not to be intimidated or deceived by political rhetoric, calling on them to turn out on election day and cast their votes for the APC.
“Don’t be intimidated. On August 15, go out, cast your vote for the APC, let your vote count, and show Mr. President our appreciation for his unwavering support to our people,” he said.
Also addressing the gathering, the North Central Representative on the TETFund Board of Trustees, Dr. Ocholi Hassan Abdulrahman, appealed to members of the Igala community resident in Osun State to support Oyebamiji and other APC candidates.
Dr. Ocholi, who described himself as a beneficiary of the Tinubu administration, said his appointment to the TETFund Board reflected what he described as the President’s commitment to competence and inclusiveness.
He urged the Igala community to reciprocate what he described as the benefits and opportunities provided under the APC-led Federal Government by supporting President Tinubu and APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The rally attracted APC supporters, Kogi indigenes, market women, youth groups and members of other non-indigenous communities, with speakers expressing confidence in the party’s prospects in the August 15 poll.
Ooni Receives Ododo, Okpebholo, Urges Peace
The following day, the two governors visited the Ooni of Ife at his palace in Ile-Ife, where the monarch praised them for what he described as people-centred leadership, humility and simplicity.
Oba Ogunwusi said the governors’ closeness to the people had enabled them to make meaningful contributions to the development of their respective states, urging other political leaders to embrace humility, compassion and genuine service.
The monarch also appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders in Osun State to place the peace and stability of the state above partisan interests as the election approaches.
He stressed that no political ambition should be allowed to threaten the peace of the state, urging all stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the election.
The Ooni equally commended President Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms, citing the unification of the foreign exchange market, removal of fuel subsidy, improved foreign reserves and increased crude oil production as measures capable of repositioning the nation’s economy.
He expressed optimism that the administration would also strengthen its focus on the micro-economy and policies capable of delivering direct benefits to Nigerians at the grassroots.
The monarch further commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for programmes and projects being implemented through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Ododo: We Are Here to Mobilise Support for APC
Speaking on behalf of the two governors, Ododo explained that their visit to the palace was partly to pay homage to the Ooni and commiserate with him over the death of his elder brother.
He added that they were also in Osun State to engage non-indigenous communities and mobilise support for the APC candidate in the forthcoming governorship election.
According to him, the progressive ideals which the APC governments are promoting in states such as Kogi and Edo should also be given an opportunity to take deeper root in Osun State.
Ododo maintained that the APC remained committed to people-oriented governance and sustainable development, while praising President Tinubu’s performance in areas including the economy, infrastructure and social welfare.
“Mr. President has done well for this country. From the economy to infrastructure and social welfare, he has transformed the fortunes of our nation. We can see the positive impact of his leadership in Kogi and Edo States, and we want the people of Osun State to also benefit from these progressive development strides,” he said.
The engagements were attended by senior government officials, APC leaders, traditional stakeholders and other supporters from Kogi, Edo and Osun states.
The two-day mobilisation and traditional engagement came as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with the APC seeking to consolidate its support base and secure victory for Oyebamiji.