Workers and marketers of the popular Ero-Arike herbal balm brand have appealed to Nigerians not to boycott the product over the political activities of its owner, Falilat Oyetunji, popularly known as Ero-Arike.
The appeal followed a wave of backlash against Ero-Arike after her active involvement in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, during which she mobilised support for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
Oyebamiji lost the election to the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, while Ero-Arike has since faced criticism online that has extended to calls for a boycott of her business.
In a video circulating on social media, a group of women carrying containers of the balm sang and appealed to the public not to allow the political controversy to affect the company, insisting that the brand had sustained their families for years.
One of the women, speaking in Yoruba, said she had been widowed for five years and credited Ero-Arike with helping her rebuild her life.
She said Ero-Arike helped her build a house, stock her business and train her children in school, adding that the business should not be allowed to fail.
The woman also appealed to the public not to ruin Ero-Arike’s business.
Another woman appealed on behalf of workers and beneficiaries from several parts of the country, including Oyo, Ibadan, Lagos, Owo and Agbara.
She warned that a boycott of the business could deprive many people of their means of livelihood and appealed to the public not to destroy the business.
The group also appealed to Hausa and Muslim communities, saying they were among those who depended on the brand.
A speaker, who addressed the Muslim community in Hausa, said Hausa people had a place in Ero-Arike’s business and benefited from the brand.
She added that the business catered to many of their needs.
The women ended the video with prayers for the continued success of the business, with the group responding, “Amen.”
Ero-Arike, a prominent APC grassroots mobiliser in Osun State, had campaigned vigorously for Oyebamiji ahead of the election.
After Adeleke was declared the winner, she released a video describing politics as unpredictable, urged APC supporters not to be discouraged by the loss and reaffirmed her continued support for Oyebamiji.
Tribune
