Marketers of Ero-Arike balm have appealed to Nigerians to continue patronising the product despite the controversy surrounding their boss, Alhaja Yusuf Falilat Arike, popularly known as Ero-Arike, during the just-concluded Osun State governorship election.
The appeal came in a video circulating on social media, in which some of the marketers pleaded with members of the public not to withdraw their patronage of the balm because of their boss’s involvement in the political controversy that preceded the election.
Ero-Arike during Osun election
Ero-Arike had attracted widespread attention during the campaign after a viral video showed her distributing rice to residents while canvassing support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
The development generated mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians accusing her of using food items as a campaign inducement, while others questioned the circumstances surrounding the distribution.
The controversy intensified as the election approached, with the incident becoming one of the talking points surrounding the APC campaign.
However, the election eventually produced a different outcome, as the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, won the August 15, 2026, governorship election.
Following the conclusion of the election, some marketers associated with the Ero-Arike brand have now taken to social media to appeal to Nigerians to separate the balm from the political controversy involving its owner.
In the video, the marketers explained that the sale and marketing of the balm constitute their means of livelihood, urging Nigerians not to stop buying the product because of the political actions or controversies surrounding their boss.
They appealed to members of the public to continue supporting them by patronising the product, stressing that they depend on the business to make a living.
The marketers also pointed out that they operate across different states of the federation, suggesting that the political controversy should not affect the livelihoods of people whose work is centred on marketing the product.
Their appeal appeared to be driven by concerns that the backlash against Ero-Arike following the Osun election could translate into reduced patronage for the balm and, consequently, affect the livelihoods of the marketers.
In the video, they pleaded with Nigerians to “please” continue patronising the product, emphasising that marketing Ero-Arike balm is how they earn their living.
Background
The appeal has since generated fresh reactions online, with the development shifting attention from the political controversy surrounding Ero-Arike to the possible impact of political actions by business owners on employees, distributors and independent marketers.
The controversy surrounding Ero-Arike began before the election when footage emerged showing her distributing rice while appealing to Osun residents to support the APC candidate.
She was heard in the viral video praising Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji and claiming that he had sent her to distribute the rice. However, the identity of the APC candidate in Osun was Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, while Oyebanji is the governor of neighbouring Ekiti State.
At the time, there was no independent confirmation that Oyebanji personally supplied or authorised the distribution of the rice.
Ero-Arike, an entrepreneur from Iragbiji, had previously supported Governor Adeleke before defecting to the APC in July 2026. She reportedly cited dissatisfaction with the Adeleke administration and alleged that political promises made to her had not been fulfilled.
With the election now concluded and Adeleke emerging victorious, the marketers are asking Nigerians to leave the political controversy behind and continue patronising the balm.
