Osun 2026: APC Chieftain Ominiwe Backs Oyebamiji, Says Tinubu’s Reforms Yielding Positive Results

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ibraheem Saka Ominiwe, has called on eligible voters in Osun State to support the party’s governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, in the August 15 governorship election, describing the poll as an opportunity to return the state to what he called the path of progress.

Ominiwe, who is the National Chairman of the SOS Mandate Group and President of Educational Legacy College, Ibadan, made the appeal while speaking with journalists at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State. He urged members of the party who might still be aggrieved after the primary election to put aside their differences and work for the victory of the APC.

According to him, the people of Osun should not repeat what he described as the “mistake” made during the 2022 governorship election by failing to return former Governor Gboyega Oyetola for a second term.

“I want to appeal to the good people of Osun State not to repeat the mistake they made four years ago. I advised them then to re-elect former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, but that did not happen. This time, I urge everyone, including those with grievances, to return en masse and vote for our candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji,” he said.

The APC stalwart criticised the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, alleging that several campaign promises made during the 2022 election were unrealistic and could not be sustained after assuming office.

He cited the promise to clear outstanding half salaries as one of the commitments he claimed later proved difficult to fulfil.

“APC believes in making realistic promises. We do not promise what we cannot deliver. During the last election, we maintained that some of those promises were not sustainable, and events have shown that to be the case,” Ominiwe stated.

Speaking on the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, Ominiwe acknowledged that Nigerians had experienced hardship following the removal of fuel subsidy and other policy decisions but insisted that the reforms were beginning to produce positive outcomes.

“There is a saying that there is no gain without pain. Even the Holy Qur’an teaches that after hardship comes ease. Nigerians have gone through difficult times, but we are beginning to witness the benefits of those reforms,” he said.

He pointed to ongoing road infrastructure projects across the country, increased statutory allocations to states and local governments following the removal of fuel subsidy, improvements in the education sector, the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and developments in the financial sector as indicators that the administration’s policies were yielding results.

According to him, funds previously spent on fuel subsidy are now being redirected to infrastructure development, healthcare, education and other critical sectors.

Ominiwe also commended what he described as improvements in electricity supply, revealing that his community in Ibadan now enjoys about 20 hours of electricity daily after being migrated to Band B, compared to the poor power supply experienced before the current administration came into office.

Ahead of the Osun governorship election, he appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to shun violence and embrace issue-based campaigns.

“Politics should never become a do-or-die affair. Killing, kidnapping, intimidation and maiming have no place in a democratic process. We are all brothers and sisters, and after the election, we will continue to live together. Let campaigns be based on ideas, policies and programmes rather than violence,” he said.

Reacting to allegations linking APC members to acts of political violence, Ominiwe dismissed the claims, insisting that the party remained committed to peaceful democratic engagement.

“We are in the era of artificial intelligence, and many of the videos circulating online can easily be manipulated. APC members are peace-loving people, and we believe in winning elections through performance and not violence,” he added.

On concerns over the credibility of the forthcoming election, Ominiwe expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying recent elections had demonstrated improvements in transparency and the timely release of results.

He also appealed to security agencies to ensure a peaceful, free and credible electoral process.

Commenting on the lingering grievances among some APC members in Oyo State following the party’s governorship primary, Ominiwe urged aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to reconcile with the party’s candidate, Senator Sarafadeen Alli, in the interest of unity.

“A divided house cannot win any battle. Once the party has concluded its internal process, everyone should rally round the candidate that emerged. Unity remains our greatest strength, and that is the only way the APC can achieve victory,” he said.

The APC chieftain concluded by urging the people of Osun State to come out in large numbers on August 15 and vote for the APC candidate, expressing confidence that the party would secure victory at the poll.

“I appeal to the peace-loving people of Osun State to vote for progress, development and continuity. By the grace of Allah, they will not regret supporting the APC and our candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji,” Ominiwe said.