Political Heavyweights, Davido Storm Osogbo for Osun Election Mega Rally

The All Progressives Congress (APC) held a significant mega rally in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, as part of its final mobilization efforts ahead of the keenly contested August 15 governorship election. High-ranking APC stalwarts, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, were in attendance. Other prominent figures present included Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and House of Representatives member James Faleke, alongside former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. The rally aimed to galvanize support for the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

The event, marking the final day of the official campaign period, drew a large crowd of APC leaders, party supporters, and campaign coordinators from across all 30 local government areas of Osun State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had set Thursday, August 13, as the deadline for campaigns, with the poll date adjusted from August 8 to August 15. Oyebamiji, who emerged as the party’s candidate through a primary election in Osogbo, faces a robust challenge from the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, as well as candidates from other parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).

The political landscape in Osun State leading up to the election has been marked by considerable tension and controversy. Reports indicated unprecedented violence in recent weeks, with the Accord Party accusing the APC of leveraging federal influence to suppress rival political factions. A notable incident involved the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) freezing the Osun State Government’s account just days before the election, an action that was swiftly reversed following an intervention order from President Bola Tinubu.

Adding a celebrity dimension to the political discourse, Nigerian Afrobeat sensation David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, publicly reacted to the APC’s mega rally. Sharing a post by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola welcoming the APC dignitaries, Davido, who is the nephew of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, critically dismissed the APC's chances of winning the election. In a pointed statement, he wrote, “If you like gather Jesus 12 disciples o ma LULE for the 3rd time,” expressing his firm belief that the outcome would favor the ruling party, his uncle’s Accord Party.

Despite the strong opposition and the charged political atmosphere, the APC leadership has reiterated its commitment to securing a victory in the upcoming governorship election. Leaders attending the rally collectively vowed to ensure the party’s triumph in the Saturday polls, emphasizing their determination to win the state's top seat.