OSUN GOV POLL: FARMERS, BUTCHERS BACK ADELEKE, HUNTERS ENDORSE OYEBAMIJI

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By: Muftau Fatimo

As political campaigns gather momentum ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, farmers and butchers have thrown their support behind Governor Ademola Adeleke’s bid for a second term, while the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service has endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

The farmers’ associations announced their support for Adeleke on Saturday, describing the governor as a “farmer-friendly” leader.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the endorsement took place at the Osun State 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 change 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 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 is 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.

Osun hunters promise APC candidate 100,000 votes

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 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.

Speaking in a similar vein, the Commandant General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Joshua Osatimehin, called on members of the service to remain dedicated to issues bordering on the security of lives and keeping forests across the country safe.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for the investment in the security architecture of the country and demanded the cooperation of Nigerians in the battle against violent crimes

Osun State voters will head to the polls on August 15 to elect the next governor, with 14 candidates, including the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke, contesting the election.

The competing endorsements reflect the political divisions ahead of the poll, with different groups declaring support for candidates in the race.