President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged residents of Osun State to go out on Saturday to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the governorship election.

Mr Tinubu made the call at the APC mega rally held on Thursday in Osogbo.

The president assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the election, saying necessary security arrangements had been made to ensure a peaceful exercise.

Mr Tinubu, who was represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, also urged the electorate to remain peaceful and vote for the candidate of their choice.

He, however, appealed to them to vote for Mr Oyebamiji, saying his election would be in the best interest of the people and the state.

The president said there was a need to link Osun to the federal government and urged voters to consider the benefits of aligning with it.

He urged voters to go to their polling units without fear or intimidation, noting that social media platforms were not polling units.

“Social media is not a polling unit. Go to your polling units and vote,” he said.

In his remarks, the APC governorship candidate, Mr Oyebamiji, thanked the president, APC governors, lawmakers and other party leaders for coming out to support his candidacy.

He promised that, if elected on Saturday, his administration would be dedicated to the welfare and development of the people of the state.

Mr Oyebamiji said governance was a serious business and not about dancing, adding that he was prepared to lead Osun on the path of development.

Also speaking, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and APC national campaign chairman said they were in Osun to support the party’s candidate and ensure his victory on Saturday.

He said the APC did not support violence or killings, urging the electorate to vote peacefully.

“We are here to convince you to vote for Oyebamiji, to vote for the APC. We are here to show solidarity.

“There will be no violence, no intimidation. Go out and vote,” he said.

Mr Uzodinma, however, said voting for Mr Oyebamiji would enable Osun to benefit from the prosperity agenda of the Tinubu administration.

Similarly, the APC national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, urged the electorate to vote for the party’s candidate on Saturday.

Mr Yilwatda said Mr Oyebamiji was prepared to deliver on the party’s electoral promises.

Political dignitaries at the rally included Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, and Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo.

Others were Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, serving APC lawmakers and other party leaders.

(NAN)