APC Mega Rally: Barau Urges Osun Voters to Back Oyebamiji, Says State Needs Stronger Political Integration.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu Democracy Newsline
Northern Bureau Chief
August 13th, 2026
OSOGBO, OSUN STATE — Amid a mammoth crowd of party supporters and loyalists, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday held a grand mega campaign rally at Freedom Park, Osogbo, as part of its mobilisation activities ahead of the Osun State Governorship Election.
The rally attracted party leaders, chieftains, elected officials, candidates, supporters and residents from across the state, with the party using the occasion to canvass support for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
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Addressing the gathering, the Secretary of the APC National Campaign Council for the election and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, said the election presented an opportunity for the people of Osun to determine the direction of the state’s future development.
Barau argued that Osun State possesses substantial human and natural resources but maintained that the resources require effective leadership and strategic political engagement to translate their potential into broad-based development.
According to him, one of the major challenges confronting the state is what he described as a leadership deficit capable of fully harnessing its available resources.
He consequently urged eligible voters to consider the APC candidate, Oyebamiji, whom he described as possessing the experience, pedigree and background required to lead the state.
The Deputy Senate President said, “Osun State is a state that has enormous potential and enormous resources, both natural and human. But the problem is that it doesn’t have a governor to harness these resources.”
He added that the APC candidate, in the view of the party, has the capacity to provide the leadership required to maximise the state’s economic and developmental opportunities.
Barau also identified what he described as Osun State’s limited participation in the national political mainstream as another issue requiring attention.
He noted that the APC currently controls a significant number of state governments across the country and argued that stronger alignment between the state and the federal political structure could facilitate greater cooperation on development initiatives.
“We have 31 states that are being governed by the APC. But Osun is isolated; thus, what is needed at this stage is to bring Osun State into the mainstream of Nigerian politics,” he said.
The APC leadership at the rally therefore called on its supporters to mobilise peacefully for the election and participate fully in the democratic process.
The campaign also provided an opportunity for party leaders to reiterate their commitment to issues including economic development, infrastructure, employment, human capital development and improved public services in Osun State.
With the governorship contest entering its decisive phase, the Freedom Park rally underscored the intensity of political competition in the state and the determination of the APC to strengthen its presence among voters ahead of the election.
The outcome of the contest will ultimately be determined by voters across Osun State, with the competing political parties expected to continue presenting their programmes, candidates and policy positions to the electorate as the campaign progresses.
Deputy President of the Senate and Secretary of the APC National Campaign Council for the Osun Governorship Election, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, addressing a mammoth crowd of APC supporters during the party’s mega campaign rally at Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER 14TH AUGUST, 2026)
