Muslim scholars, Imams, and members of the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) community have declared their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of Saturday’s election.
The endorsement was made at the Osogbo House of Asiwaju Musulumi, where stakeholders said their decision was based on Oyebamiji’s commitment to Islam and his longstanding relationship with Muslim communities.
The meeting drew Muslim leaders and representatives from across the Southwest, as well as Edo and Delta States. It was attended by members of the Qadiriyyah movement and a large number of PWDs.
Speaking at the gathering, Chairman of Zumuratul Muhmineenah, Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Olaoye, said the event was convened to thank God for Oyebamiji’s emergence as APC candidate and to rally support for his victory.
‘We are all endorsing Oyebamiji because he is a dedicated Muslim who has consistently supported Islam. We are confident that he will be victorious,’ Olaoye said.
The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, also addressed the gathering, urging Muslim communities to give ‘unshaken support’ to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC.
Badmus, who has held the title of Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland for nearly four decades, said he had reached out to Muslim leaders in Osun to emphasise the need for unity ahead of the election.
‘The party of Mr President, APC, is the party to support. All Muslim societies here have endorsed the candidate, and that is the direction I ask them to go,’ he said.
He disclosed that about 500 deaf and hard-of-hearing persons attended the meeting with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing that they were determined to vote for Oyebamiji and would not sell their votes.
The Qadiriyyah movement of Nigeria, led by Khaleefah Abdulqodri, also formally endorsed Oyebamiji’s candidacy, following consultations with Muslim leadership.
Badmus expressed optimism that Oyebamiji would emerge as the next governor of Osun State and offered prayers for his victory at the polls.