A viral TikTok video shows Osun businesswoman Alhaja Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero-Arike, distributing bags of rice stamped with All Progressives Congress (APC) stickers while explicitly urging residents to vote for the party's governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15, 2026 election.
Video Shows Rice Distribution With APC Branding
The clip, posted on TikTok on Monday, August 10, 2026, captures Ero-Arike wearing a customised outfit featuring the APC logo and a photograph of Oyebamiji. She hands out rice packed in transparent polythene bags printed with APC stickers, telling the crowd that the food items were provided by the wife of a former Osun State governor. However, this claim could not be independently verified by Legit.ng, as reported by The Punch.
In the video, Ero-Arike addresses the beneficiaries directly: "This rice was given to you by… She told me to give you one per person, but I'll give you two." She then appeals for their support, saying, "Make sure to vote for…" and warns them against accepting the food without following through on their votes.
Social Media Reactions Highlight Electoral Bribery Concerns
The clip quickly spread across social media, drawing sharp criticism from users who connected the distribution to electoral bribery. A user identified as 9JA Next wrote: "Giving voters rice, beans, cooking oil, cash, hampers or similar items while saying or implying 'vote for Candidate X' can amount to electoral bribery."
Vincent Ilomechine questioned when Nigerians would break free from such practices, stating: "When will Nigerians free themselves from this mental slavery? Politicians know that a united Nigeria is the end to bad governance." Another user, DeAndrey, linked the incident to poverty, commenting: "We still have a long way to go in this country. No matter how much you want to fight for these people, they'll still embarrass you and show you the weakness of their lives. They use hunger and poverty to trap us in this country, Nigeria."
A user named Enas directed frustration at those who collected the rice: "All those collecting the rice, make una nor come cry tomorrow o. Because of poverty, una say Nigeria nor go better, them dey share rice give una like prisoners. Slavery nor pass like this." Elejo Micheal took a calmer tone, writing: "At the end of the day, all we pray for is a peaceful, free, and fair election. May the people of Osun be allowed to choose their leaders without violence or intimidation."
Osun Governorship Election: Key Candidates and Context
The incident comes just days before the Osun governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. Incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party will face APC's Oyebamiji, Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress, and other candidates on the ballot. The campaign period has been tense, with competing parties trading accusations of intimidation and political violence.
APGA Candidate Steps Down for APC
In a related development, APGA governorship candidate Adesina Adeyemi-Doro announced his withdrawal from the race at a media conference in Osogbo on Saturday. Adeyemi-Doro said consultations with his supporters and senior party officials informed his decision to back the APC candidate. APC's Oyebamiji welcomed the endorsement and promised an inclusive administration open to cooperation with political groups across the state.
