The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory.

Oyebamiji spoke on Saturday in Osogbo while addressing APC leaders, members and supporters on the outcome of the election and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The APC candidate also called on Governor Adeleke, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, to take immediate steps to end killings, harassment and intimidation of APC members and supporters.

Oyebamiji expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support before, during and after the governorship election, while commending former Governor Bisi Akande for his counsel and support.

He also praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his efforts in repositioning the APC in the state.

Recalling his emergence as the party’s governorship candidate in December 2025, Oyebamiji said various tendencies within the APC subsequently put aside their differences and worked towards a common objective of securing victory for the party.

“The campaign covered all parts of Osun State, engaging civil servants, retirees, artisans, students, youths, entrepreneurs, women, professionals, sporting groups, persons living with disabilities and religious organisations.”

Oyebamiji, however, expressed concern over the violence before, during and particularly after the election.

He recalled the killings of former Irewole Local Government Chairman, Remi Abass; APC Chairman in Atakumosa Local Government, Chief Gbenga Ogbara; Dele Ayegbo, nephew of the Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Wole Oke; and more than 35 other victims.

He called on the Nigeria Police Force to thoroughly investigate the killings and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice, while extending condolences to the families of victims of political violence.

While congratulating Governor Adeleke and joining Osun State in commemorating its 35th anniversary, Oyebamiji urged the governor to fulfil his constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of residents.

He condemned attacks on APC members, supporters and businesses based on perceived political affiliations, saying such actions must stop.

“The senseless killings, harassment and intimidation of members and supporters of our party must therefore stop forthwith,” Oyebamiji said.

The APC candidate said the party would continue to pursue justice and fairness through lawful and constitutional means, particularly regarding the electoral process.

He urged APC members not to be discouraged by the outcome of the election but to remain committed to democracy and to have confidence in institutions established to protect their democratic rights.

Oyebamiji subsequently called on APC leaders, members and supporters across Osun State to begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.

He urged party members to close ranks, strengthen the party’s structures and work towards securing victories for Tinubu and other APC candidates in Osun State.

Oyebamiji also commended APC members for their resilience and commitment, adding that the party would continue to pursue its vision of a greater Osun where resources are equitably deployed, opportunities are accessible to all and governance serves the broader interests of the people.

The federal government has inaugurated the first National Pilot Ranching Programme at the Gongoshi Livestock Grazing Reserve in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa.

Inaugurating the project on Saturday, the minister of livestock development,  Idi Maiha, described it as a major step towards transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.

The pilot scheme is to be implemented in five states, comprising Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Adamawa, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Maiha said the initiative was part of the federal government’s efforts, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, to develop livestock production centres across the country.

“This is the first of the pilot projects we are inaugurating as part of the efforts, under the able leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to develop livestock development centres across the country.

“The Gongoshi Grazing Reserve has been willingly allocated by the Adamawa Government for the development of this centre. It was not an imposition.

“We did not take or grab anybody’s land. The Adamawa government willingly, and on its own volition, allocated this land,” he said.

The minister said the Adamawa government had allocated approximately 9,600 hectares for the project, “which is being implemented through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Project (L-PRES), with support from the World Bank.”

He said the project would be implemented through a partnership between the Federal and state governments and eligible private-sector partners.

According to him, Adamawa had selected dairy, beef, fodder, sheep and goats as priority value chains under the programme.

Mr Maiha said infrastructure already provided at the reserve included a solar-powered borehole and livestock drinking troughs, while additional facilities would include schools for children of nomadic pastoralists and an upgraded veterinary facility.

Earlier, the national coordinator of L-PRES, Sanusi Abubakar, said Gongoshi was one of five pilot grazing reserves being developed by the ministry.

Mr Sanusi said the resuscitation of grazing reserves required collaboration between the Federal and state governments.

“The main purpose of resuscitating the grazing reserve is to reduce the radius of movement of livestock farmers.

“By doing so, we will have greater peace and improved collaboration between livestock farmers and crop farmers,” he said.

The national coordinator added that a weather station had also been established at the reserve in collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

Mr Sanusi said the ranching programme was designed to produce quality pasture, seeds, hay and forage.

He added that the ranching projects would create employment opportunities in cultivation, harvesting, processing and veterinary services.

“This project creates direct opportunities for our youth and local communities,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Adamawa government, the chairman of Mayo-Belwa Local Government Council thanked the federal government for establishing the project in the state.

He assured that the state government would provide adequate security to protect the equipment and other facilities at the pilot ranching reserve.

Several large and intermediary livestock farmers and associations from Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi states graced the inauguration.

(NAN)