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By Lukman Olabiyi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the August 15 election in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Oyebamiji (AMBO), has urged voters to elect a competent technocrat to manage the state’s affairs, arguing that Osun cannot afford what he described as mediocrity in leadership.
Oyebamiji, a financial expert, former Commissioner for Finance and immediate past Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), said his experience in public finance and administration makes him the most qualified candidate to govern the state.
He spoke on Monday during a media parley with media executives in Lagos, where he outlined his vision for Osun and criticised the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke over what he described as poor management of the state’s growing resources.
According to him, despite a significant increase in federal allocations to the state, residents have not enjoyed corresponding improvements in infrastructure and public services.
“To properly situate why Osun deserves a better deal at this time, the last allocation received by the APC administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) stood at approximately ₦2.6 billion.
“Today, the average monthly allocation to the state is about ₦16 billion without commensurate value to the state and its citizens. In fact, some of the infrastructure projects delivered by the current administration were awarded in secrecy to incompetent contractors, while many of such projects have failed even before commissioning,” he said.
He appealed to the electorate to support his candidacy in the August 15 governorship election, promising prudent management of the state’s resources and people-oriented governance.
Oyebamiji said his administration would be driven by the “Prosperity Agenda,” a development blueprint built on seven strategic pillars.
The pillars include Poverty Alleviation, Workers’ Welfare and Job Creation; Responsive, Accountable and Transparent Governance; Opportunities for Economic Growth, Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Youth and Women Empowerment; Security, Safety and Social Protection; Productive Agriculture through Public-Private Partnerships and Rural Development; Education, Skills Development and Healthcare Investment; and Renewed Investment in Infrastructure, Culture and Tourism.
He assured residents that if elected, his administration would prioritise workers’ welfare and youth development within its first 100 days in office.
According to him, his government will undertake a comprehensive review of all outstanding entitlements owed to serving and retired workers and commence immediate payment.
He also pledged to ensure the operationalisation of the Dagbolu Dry Port, describing it as a critical economic asset capable of boosting trade and attracting investment to the state.
The APC candidate further promised to train and empower at least 10,000 youths in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through strategic partnerships to enhance digital skills and improve employment opportunities.
On security, Oyebamiji said his administration would institutionalise monthly meetings of the State Security Council involving security agencies, traditional rulers and local government leaders to strengthen intelligence gathering and community policing.
He added that his government would launch pilot off-grid renewable energy projects in selected public institutions and rural communities, conduct a comprehensive fiscal sustainability review covering the state’s revenue, expenditure and debt profile, as well as undertake a statewide infrastructure audit to identify priority economic roads and other critical development needs.
“These, among others, are the initiatives we consider essential within our first 100 days in office as we work to reposition Osun State for sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” he said.
