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• Alleges political violence, unveils 100-day agenda
By Beifoh Osewele
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), yesterday declared that his party would defeat Governor Ademola Adeleke at the polls, insisting that the APC already has the grassroots support required to reclaim the state.
Addressing media editors in Lagos, Oyebamiji expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious, saying the party’s campaign had resonated with voters across the state.
“We have the numbers already. We are going to win the election.
“We mean well for the people of Osun State, and by the grace of God and the support of the people, we shall emerge victorious in the forthcoming governorship election.”
The APC standard-bearer said his confidence was anchored on the party’s Prosperity Agenda, a seven-point development blueprint focusing on poverty alleviation, workers’ welfare, job creation, transparent governance, economic growth, youth and women empowerment, security, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, culture and tourism.
He promised that within his first 100 days in office, his administration would review all outstanding entitlements owed to serving and retired workers and commence immediate payment. Oyebamiji also pledged to make the Dagbolu Dry Port fully operational, train and empower at least 10,000 youths in information and communication technology through strategic partnerships, institutionalise monthly State Security Council meetings, launch pilot off-grid renewable energy projects, undertake a fiscal sustainability review and carry out a statewide infrastructure audit.
On the economy, he promised to deploy technology to improve the state’s internally generated revenue, stressing that his administration would not rely solely on increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
“Although funds from FAAC have increased tremendously, we are not going to fold our hands. We will deploy the finest technology to improve revenue generation and expand the state’s economic base,” he said.
The APC candidate also assured residents that local government autonomy would be fully implemented under his administration.
“Local government autonomy has come to stay. We will allow local governments to function effectively and deliver development directly to the grassroots,” he said.
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On accountability, Oyebamiji said his government would conduct a comprehensive audit of the state’s finances without embarking on political persecution. “We will audit the books, but it will not be a witch-hunt. It is about ensuring accountability and prudent management of public resources,” he stated.
He criticised the Adeleke administration, alleging that despite a sharp increase in monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, the state had not witnessed commensurate development.
According to him, while the immediate past APC administration received about ₦2.6 billion monthly from FAAC, the current administration now receives an average of about ₦16 billion.
Oyebamiji further alleged that more than 70 per cent of the state’s resources were concentrated in the two local government areas in Ede, describing the trend as the “Ede-nisation” of Osun State and promising a more equitable distribution of projects and public resources if elected.
The APC flag bearer also raised concerns over what he described as persistent political violence in the state, alleging that members of his party had been the major victims.
He claimed that more than 25 APC members were killed during the 2022 governorship election, citing the late former Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Remi Abass, as one of the victims.
He also alleged that recent attacks on APC supporters, including an incident in Ede, reflected a worsening security situation ahead of the election.
“The ongoing political violence in the state has all the signs of the government in power on it,” he alleged, adding that the APC had documented several politically motivated attacks and was pursuing justice through the courts.
He called on security agencies to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free governorship election, saying the safety and welfare of citizens would remain the foremost responsibility of any government under his leadership.
The Osun State Government has consistently accused opposition elements in the state of fomenting political unrest with the backing of the APC-led Federal Government and the police.
