Osun 2026: Farmers, butchers back Adeleke, hunters endorse Oyebamiji

As political activities intensify ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, farmers and butchers have endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term, while the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service has declared support for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

Farmers’ groups on Saturday endorsed Adeleke, describing him as “farmers’ friendly.”

A statement signed by the spokesperson to the State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo stated that the event was held at the Osun Government House in Osogbo.

The farmers appreciated the governor for his pro-farmers policies, which include the purchase of new tractors, completion of the farmers’ secretariat, distribution of farm inputs and distribution of thousands of cocoa, cashew and palm oil seedlings.

Speaking on behalf of the Osun State All Farmers of Nigeria, Moshood Adepoju said farmers in Osun had never had it so good, accusing the state APC of arresting their leaders to force the association to work against Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“We endorse Mr Governor for re-election because he did well for Osun farmers. We were neglected for years under APC. Governor Adeleke came and changed our fortunes for the better.

“We were arrested but we insisted on standing by Mr Governor. Farmers will come out and vote massively for the governor’s second term. We compare the records of previous governors. The Accord candidate is our man within the farmers’ movement”, the AFAN chairman said.

The Osun State Chairman of the Butchers Association, Amoo Afeez, while addressing the gathering, said his members had resolved to back the governor for a second term because of his achievements across all sectors of society.

Speaking in Yoruba, Afeez said the governor had positively transformed Osun State, adding that “Osun people will show appreciation by re-electing our governor”.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Tola Faseru, said the endorsement event was requested by various associations in the agriculture sector to show their appreciation for the good job being done by the governor.

“Our farmers are here today to show appreciation that one good turns deserves another. They insisted on having this event because they see the governor as a leader who has shown deep commitment to expansion of opportunities for the farmers”, Faseru stated.

The farmers later moved a motion for the endorsement of the governor for a second term, a motion which was unanimously approved by farmers in attendance.

Responding to the endorsement, Governor Adeleke commended the show of love for him and his administration and promised to deliver more once re-elected.

“I am happy that our deliveries in the agriculture sector are recognised by our dera farmers. This will encourage me to do more. We will get more machinery and farm inputs as well as processing factories in our second term”, the governor stated.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service in Osun State has declared support for Oyebamiji, saying the group was ready to deliver 100,000 votes for the APC in the election.

Speaking on behalf of the group during its 12th anniversary celebration held in Osogbo on Saturday, the Osun State Chairman, NHFSS, Ahmed Nureni, said the hunters decided to back the APC candidate because of his track record and the good working relationship the hunters enjoyed with the immediate past administration in the state, where Oyebamiji served as Finance Commissioner.

He said, “I want to assure you that, by the grace of God, on August 15, we hunters are going to vote for APC in appreciation of your support during the reign of Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.

“That administration bought patrol vehicles, motorcycles for hunters. During your tenure as Commissioner, you also supported us with funds during our various interventions.

“I have up to 14,000 members, so if we add our children and wives, we are going to have up to 100,000 votes, and by the grace of God, we are going to give our votes to Oyebamiji. He is a good person, and we have a good working relationship with the immediate past administration.”

Responding, the APC governorship candidate said the endorsement was another indication that he would emerge victorious in the forthcoming election.

He, however, charged the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully during the poll and thereafter.

“This is coming at the right time, and this signifies the fact that virtually all the segments in Osun, all the demographics in Osun, have all endorsed Bola Oyebamiji to be the governor of the state.

“This gladdens my heart, and this is an indication that we are winning this election without any rigging or support apart from God and the people of Osun, which we have already gotten,” Oyebamiji noted.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, called on politicians to shun violence, stressing that no amount of money was worth the life of any resident.

“I urge all the politicians to conduct this election free and fair, and also to go about casting their votes in a peaceful way. There is no amount of money that is worth the life of any Osun resident,” the monarch appealed.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖