Osun 2026: Peculiar People’s Progress Mobilises 200 Women For AMBO, Denies Vote Buying

A support group for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, has mobilised 200 women ahead of the August 15 governorship election, distributing cash and food items to the beneficiaries.

The group, Peculiar People’s Progress, said the initiative was aimed at appreciating women who had remained loyal to the APC while also mobilising them to support Oyebamiji in the election.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, held at Ile-Ogbo town hall, Ile-Ogbo, Ayedire Local Government area, the head of the organisation, Ige Adeyanju, confirmed that the beneficiaries were being mobilised to vote for the APC candidate but rejected allegations that the gesture amounted to vote buying.

Adeyanju said the initiative was designed primarily to appreciate party supporters who, according to her, had remained committed to the APC despite political challenges.

“We are here to appreciate our people for their loyalty. Because of the waves here and there, they remain, they still remain, and they are giving us their full support. So, it is just to appreciate them and let them know that we see them,” she said.

She explained that 200 women were selected for the empowerment programme, describing women as influential members of their families and communities.

According to her, the group’s support for Oyebamiji was based on its belief that he would prioritise the welfare and interests of women if elected governor.

“We did it for 200 women to empower them. You know women hold the house. Women are the builders of the nation, and with our belief in AMBO, because AMBO is a man of the women, he promised women many things in Osun State,” Adeyanju said.

She further confirmed that the women were being mobilised specifically to support Oyebamiji’s candidacy, but insisted that the distribution should not be interpreted as an attempt to induce voters.

“This is not vote buying. Vote buying will happen on election day. It’s not vote buying, because as a citizen of the town, I’m supposed to appreciate my people, most especially because of their loyalty. They have been in that party for years,” she said.

Adeyanju said women remained central to the group’s grassroots mobilisation strategy because of their influence within households and communities.

She claimed that the organisation had conducted what she described as “underground work” to determine the potential electoral influence of the beneficiaries.

“A woman comprises many people. Husband will be there, children… That’s why it’s better to target a woman for anything. Because if you pick a woman in a house, you’ve definitely captured eight or seven people in that house,” she said.

She also pledged that the group would hold Oyebamiji accountable if he wins the election, saying his campaign promises would be documented and monitored.

“We should just list the promises now. So, on getting there, we will now be asking, ‘This number, why has it not been done? What are we going to do?’ He said he will make sure that they deliver,” Adeyanju said.

Also speaking, a former chairman of Ayedire Local Government Area, Alhaji Musa Bilau, said the packages were distributed to encourage the beneficiaries.

Bilau said the items included semovita, salt and other foodstuffs, while urging residents to participate peacefully in the election and vote for the APC.

“The people were given some packages just to encourage them, one pack of semovita, salt and some other stuff. People should go out calmly on Saturday and vote, particularly for our party, APC,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Kazeem Abba, an APC member, expressed appreciation to the organisers and appealed to political actors and voters to maintain peace before, during and after the election.

“Our mother has really tried. We thank God for her life and we pray she progresses. We appreciate this gesture. The voters should allow peace to reign because political power is not by force,” Abba said.

Another beneficiary, Asala Temitope Aduke, said the women received cash and food items, but maintained that the gesture was not intended to influence their votes.

“They gave us 10m each and foodstuffs. This is not to buy our votes but just to support us. This is how she has been doing it. We appreciate her and urge people to go out and vote on August 15,” Aduke said.

The development comes amid intensified grassroots mobilisation by political parties, candidates and support groups across Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.