As political activities intensify ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, the contest has taken a fresh turn, with farmers and butchers throwing their weight behind incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, while the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) has endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
The contrasting endorsements have added another layer to the final days of the campaign, with both camps seeking support from organised groups across the state.
Farmers, Butchers Back Adeleke
Farmers’ groups on Saturday endorsed Adeleke for a second term, describing the governor as “farmers-friendly” and citing what they said were gains recorded in the agricultural sector under his administration.
The endorsement event was held at the Osun Government House in Osogbo, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
The farmers commended the administration for initiatives including the purchase of new tractors, completion of the farmers’ secretariat, distribution of farm inputs and the provision of thousands of cocoa, cashew and palm-oil seedlings.
Speaking on behalf of the Osun State All Farmers of Nigeria, Moshood Adepoju said farmers were supporting Adeleke because of what he described as improvements in their fortunes under the present administration.
Adepoju also alleged that some farmers’ leaders had been arrested in an attempt to influence the association’s position. The allegation is part of the political claims surrounding the election and was not independently established in the report.
The Osun State Chairman of the Butchers Association, Amoo Afeez, also declared support for Adeleke, citing what he described as the governor’s achievements across different sectors.
Afeez said members of the association intended to reciprocate what they regarded as positive developments by backing the governor at the polls.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Tola Faseru, said the endorsement was initiated by agricultural associations as a way of expressing appreciation for the administration’s policies.
The farmers subsequently moved a motion endorsing Adeleke for a second term, which was unanimously approved by those present.
Responding, Adeleke thanked the groups for their support and promised to expand agricultural programmes if re-elected, including additional machinery, farm inputs and processing facilities.
Hunters Endorse Oyebamiji
On the other side of the political divide, the leadership of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service in Osun State declared support for APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji.
Speaking during the group’s 12th anniversary celebration in Osogbo, the state chairman, Ahmed Nureni, said the hunters were backing Oyebamiji because of his record and their relationship with the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, during which Oyebamiji served as Commissioner for Finance.
Nureni said the group had about 14,000 members and claimed that, with their families, the association could mobilise up to 100,000 votes for the APC candidate.
He cited support received by hunters during the previous administration, including patrol vehicles, motorcycles and financial assistance for interventions, as reasons for the group’s decision.
Oyebamiji welcomed the endorsement, describing it as evidence of growing support across different sections of the state.
He urged voters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.
Calls for Peaceful Election
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, urged politicians and voters to reject violence and ensure that the election is conducted peacefully.
He stressed that no political ambition or financial gain was worth the life of any Osun resident.
Similarly, the Commandant General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Joshua Osatimehin, urged members of the service to remain committed to protecting lives and securing forests across the country.
He also called for greater cooperation from Nigerians in efforts to combat violent crime.
With the August 15 governorship election approaching, the competing endorsements highlight the increasingly contested nature of the race, with organised groups publicly declaring support for different candidates.
For the electorate, however, the final decision will be made at the ballot box, as Ademola Adeleke, Bola Oyebamiji and the other candidates seek the mandate to lead Osun State.
