Osun: APC Chieftain Ominiwe Woos Voters, Defends Tinubu’s Reforms

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ibraheem Saka Ominiwe, has urged voters in Osun State to elect the party’s governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji in the August 15 election, saying it will correct the “mistake” of 2022.

Ominiwe, who is the National Chairman of the SOS Mandate Group and President of Educational Legacy College, Ibadan, said the APC candidate represents progress, development and alignment with the Federal Government.

Speaking with journalists in his Ibadan residence, Ominiwe appealed to those with grievances against the party to return “en masse” and vote for Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.

“I want to appeal to the good people of Osun State not to repeat the mistake they made four years ago,” he said. “At that time, I advised them to re-elect former Governor Gboyega Oyetola for a second term, but it did not happen.”

The APC chieftain faulted the current administration in Osun, arguing that some campaign promises made in 2022 were not sustainable.

“Both former governor Oyetola and the incumbent presented their manifestos. Oyetola was truthful and only promised what he believed was achievable, while the incumbent made promises that turned out to be unsustainable,” he said.

Citing the promise to pay outstanding half salaries, Ominiwe said: “We said then that those promises were not sustainable, and within a few months they could no longer be maintained. That is the difference between the APC and others. We do not promise what we cannot deliver.”

On the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms on the Osun election, Ominiwe said Nigerians were beginning to experience relief after the initial hardship.

“There is a saying: no pain, no gain. Even the Holy Qur’an teaches that after hardship comes ease. We have passed through the difficult phase,” he stated.

He pointed to massive infrastructure projects, increased federal allocations to states and LGAs, and reforms in the education and financial sectors as evidence.

“Nigeria’s stock market recently emerged as one of the best-performing in the world. The removal of fuel subsidy has significantly increased allocations to states and local governments. These funds are now being used for infrastructure, healthcare and education instead of enriching a few individuals,” he said.

He also cited improvements in electricity supply, noting that his community in Ibadan had moved to Band B with about 20 hours of power daily, compared to once in three months previously.

Ominiwe condemned reported cases of violence, kidnapping and vote-buying ahead of the Osun poll, urging issue-based campaigns.

Politics should never divide us. Killing, maiming and kidnapping have no place in politics. After elections, we will still live together,” he said.

On allegations linking APC members to violence, he said: “APC members are peace-loving people. We do not believe in violence. Some of the videos circulating online could even be AI-generated.”

He expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, citing the Ekiti governorship election as an example of transparency.

Addressing the crisis in Oyo APC after the primaries, Ominiwe appealed to aggrieved aspirants to reconcile with the party’s flag bearer, Senator Sarafadeen Alli.

A divided house cannot win any battle. Unity is in the interest of everyone. Once the process is concluded, everyone should rally around the candidate that emerged,” he said.

He urged Osun voters to come out on Saturday, August 15, 2026, and vote for the APC.

“I appeal to the peace-loving people of Osun State to vote for progress, development and alignment with the national government. By the grace of Allah, they will not regret their decision,” he said.