Adeleke, Oyebamiji Camps Make Final Push As Campaign Ends At Midnight

With campaigning for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election ending at midnight today, the camps of Governor Ademola Adeleke and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji have made their final pitches to voters, with both sides expressing absolute confidence in victory.

The final exchanges came during an appearance on TVC News’ Beyond the Headlines, anchored by Nifemi Oguntoye, where Pelumi Olajengbesi, Spokesman of the Adeleke Campaign Council, and Kehinde Oyetunji, APC Campaign Coordinator for Osun West, fiercely defended their candidates.

Olajengbesi urged voters to judge Adeleke by what he described as the governor’s record in office, particularly in workers’ welfare, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

He said Adeleke inherited a state facing serious financial and administrative difficulties but had stabilised governance since assuming office.

“The welfare of civil servants has been addressed. Beyond that as well, the government has actually placed premium attention on infrastructure,” Olajengbesi said.

He added: “The government also addressed the issue of the healthcare system. The primary healthcare system before the coming of Mr Governor was very bad, but with the coming of Governor Ademola Adeleke, it has been addressed.”

Olajengbesi dismissed the APC’s criticisms of the administration, describing Adeleke as “super popular” and insisting that the incumbent would win Saturday’s election.

“I tell you today, without mincing word, that there’s no politician today that is as popular as Governor Ademola Adeleke,” he said.

But Oyetunji rejected the argument, saying the APC candidate had built a strong grassroots network through repeated consultations across the state.

He said Oyebamiji had visited all 30 local government areas and Area Office councils and had secured endorsements from several groups.

“For the first time in the history of Osun election, we have a candidate who conducted three circles of campaign,” Oyetunji said.

He added: “What you see today is just the product of our hard work. What you see today is an endorsement that people of Osun State have accepted our candidate.”

Oyetunji accused the Adeleke administration of poor governance, alleged political violence and mismanagement of state resources, saying voters were ready to vote the incumbent out.

“There is no government in the history of Osun that has mismanaged the resources of the state as we are experiencing in this period,” he alleged.

He said the APC was confident Oyebamiji would be declared governor-elect on Sunday.

“We know that Bola Oyebamiji is going to be massively voted and will be announced as the governor-elect on Sunday,” Oyetunji said.

The final campaign day comes amid heightened concerns about violence, intimidation and voter inducement ahead of the August 15 poll.

Civil society organisations have urged INEC and security agencies to ensure voters can participate without fear.

As the campaign period closes at midnight, the political battle will give way to the voters on Saturday.

With both camps claiming overwhelming support, the ballot box will determine which of the two major contenders can turn campaign confidence into victory.