The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rounded off its campaign for the August 16th bye-election for the Ovia federal constituency in Edo state.

The party which concluded its campaign with the rally at Utoka and Iguoshodin wards in Ovia North East on Friday, said it is optimistic of victory for the next Saturday poll.

Speaking at the rally, the state’s deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa, said that the party has effectively intimated the people across the 13 wards that in the council area of its campaign promises.

He, however, noted that it is not all about rhetoric for the party has a history of delivery of its campaign promises to the people of Edo state.

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Idahosa further said that the APC candidate, Ms Omosede Igbinedion, being a former member of the House of Representatives, has the capacity and experience to attract developmental projects to the constituency.

“Come August 16, with the support of the people, she will take the day. And, this is Iguoshodin Ward. We do not hope to get anything less than 98 percent.

“We are not taking anything for granted. We are going to campaign in the 23 Wards that make Ovia federal Constituency. We are going into the units as this election means a lot to us.

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“We want to send someone that is competent, reliable, and understands the workings of the National Assembly (NASS) to represent the people of Ovia Federal Constituency. That person is Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate said her support system is growing against the background of the defection of the immediate past deputy governor, Marvelous Omobayo.

According to her, “he, Omobayo, paid a surprise visit to my house last night, requesting for my campaign cap. He stated that he was going to wear it throughout this period.”

Simirlarly, the Senator representing Edo South in the NASS, Neda Imasuen, stressed that it is in the intestinal of the APC to win both August 16 scheduled bye-elections in Ovia federal constituency and the Edo Central senate seat.

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, on Saturday declared that the party’s quest to win the 2026 governorship poll in Osun State is already having a divine support.

Aregbesola spoke in Osogbo at the reception organised to mark the 60th birthday of an ex-Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam.

Salaam served as the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly between 2011 and 2018, when Aregbesola was the governor of the state.

The ex-Osun Governor, who spoke in Yoruba language, after acknowledging the presence of the incumbent Speaker of the State Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and the representative of the state governor, George Alabi, said he would not want to offend either of the two men with his speech.

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He subsequently stated that God is supporting his new party to win the state in the next poll.

After rendering many songs purporting good fortune in the offing for his party in the 2026 governorship election in the state and the general elections in 2027, Aregbesola said, “I don’t want to offend the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Egbedun, and the representative of the governor. But I am very sure that it is our own (ADC) that God will support.”

Earlier, the Speaker of the Osun State House Assembly, Egbedun, noted Salaam’s contributions to the State democratic experience when he served as Speaker.

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“You have always been my role model. The 8th Assembly is proud to associate with you. We see you as a role model.

“I told my people that I will relocate to my community if they elect me. I did it because I saw you, being the only Speaker in the history of Osun that holds his House firmly,” Egbedun said.

Speaking with journalists after the event, Salaam, called on Osun residents to avoid violence during the forthcoming poll, promising not to relent in campaign for politics without bitterness.
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The Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, on Friday charged President Bola Tinubu to pay Osun State’s local government allocation funds without delay.

The monarch, who made the call in an interview with newsmen at the Osun Osogbo Festival programme in Osogbo, said: “The Federal Government needs Osun’s vote in 2027. Osun cannot be ignored, and Osogbo people have already sent me to Tinubu that our vote is for him. Why is he now scared?”

He said: “Tinubu should release our money. Those of you who have the chance to speak to the President should tell him to release the money they are owing Osun State to our governor. Once they do that, when it’s time for the election, I will be available.

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“Some royal fathers have come to meet me to ask about what we will do on the issue, but I don’t want to be too forward, and I’ve been waiting for the leader of the royal fathers to call a meeting. This really concerns me. The Secretary to the State Government is my own, however, the governor, deputy governor, and Chief of Staff have monarchs in the towns they come from also.

“They should also call those monarchs. Why should I be the one to lead? When we get to Abuja, I know what to say there, ”Nigerian Tribune quoted him.