The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has urged young party members to deepen their involvement in the campaign ahead of the August 8 election, saying their participation will determine the party’s success at the polls.
Oyebamiji made the call on Sunday, January 11, in Osogbo during an interactive session organised by the office of the Osun APC Youth Leader with the party’s governorship candidate, where he reflected on the party’s showing in the 2022 governorship election and the central role played by young voters.
Speaking on voting patterns from the last election, Oyebamiji said a breakdown of the results showed that youths accounted for the bulk of the APC’s votes.
“We conducted a demographic analysis of the 2022 election results and discovered that APC polled over 300,000 votes, with youths contributing about 210,000 of the total.
“I have great respect for the vast youth population in the state. We have a lot in stock for them, and by the grace of God, there will be well-designed programmes for our youths. This will start now, not when we get into office.
“In the coming election, God has given us a penalty, and they have a goalpost without a goalkeeper. All we need to do is work hard and coordinate ourselves properly to earn the victory waiting for us,” Oyebamiji said in Yoruba language.
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He told party youths to take the campaign back to their communities through ward-level engagement, including door-to-door mobilisation, promising them full support from the party leadership.
“I don’t have a competitor. APC does not have a competitor. We are going to give you resources to work with. We are serious about this assignment. By the grace of God, we are taking over.
“Do not be afraid. Nobody will harm you. I want to give you that assurance. This election will not be like the previous one.
“We will be responsible to you, but you must deliver. Our administration will be a government of youths. We will make the necessary arrangements to ensure that you get your dues,” he said.
Osun State is scheduled to hold its next governorship election on August 8, 2026, with Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking a second term in office.
Oyebamiji is the main challenger on the APC platform, while a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, is also expected to mount a strong challenge as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress.