By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, AMBO, has vowed to block financial leakages, cut the cost of governance, and expand the state’s revenue base through technology if elected, saying he successfully executed a similar reform as Commissioner for Finance under former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Oyebamiji made this disclosure in an interview where he spoke on his chances in the election, allegations of political violence in the state, his plans to stabilise Osun’s finances, implement local government autonomy, and deliver on his administration’s Prosperity Agenda.
Speaking on why he decided to run, Oyebamiji said he remains a credible alternative to the current administration, having served as Commissioner for Finance under Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola, and as Managing Director of the Osun Investment Company Limited, now Omoluabi Holdings Limited.
He compared the state’s revenue profile under the last APC administration to what obtains presently, noting that Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration received about N2.6bn as monthly allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), whereas the state currently receives about N16bn monthly without commensurate value to citizens.
He said, “Few of the infrastructure projects delivered by the current administration were awarded in secrecy to incompetent contractors, while many of such projects have failed before commissioning. I am contesting to arrest the current drift in the state.”
Oyebamiji disclosed that his party’s Prosperity Agenda had gained widespread acceptance across the state’s 30 local government areas, explaining that the agenda rests on seven pillars: poverty alleviation, workers’ welfare and job creation; responsive, accountable and transparent governance; opportunities for economic growth and SME support; security, safety and social protection; productive agriculture through public-private partnerships; education, skills development and healthcare investment; and renewed infrastructure investment.
He listed his administration’s first 100-day priorities to include a comprehensive review and payment of outstanding entitlements owed to active and retired workers, full operationalisation of the Dagbolu Dry Port, training and empowerment of no fewer than 10,000 young people in information and communication technology, institutionalisation of monthly State Security Council meetings, and the launch of pilot off-grid renewable energy projects in selected institutions and rural communities.
He said his administration would also conduct a fiscal sustainability review covering state revenue, expenditure and debt obligations, alongside a state-wide infrastructure audit to identify priority economic roads and other critical needs.
On the allegations of political violence trailing the campaign season, Oyebamiji said both he and his party had remained victims of persistent attacks in Osun, recalling that more than 25 APC members were allegedly murdered during the 2022 governorship election, including the Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Remi Abass, who was killed within the council secretariat.
He linked recent security developments to the ruling party, citing the Inspector-General of Police’s visit to Osun, where allegations were raised concerning individuals accused of criminal activities being housed within the Government House, the arrest of a suspected criminal within the private residence of the Secretary to the State Government in Osogbo, and an attack on APC members in Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“Ironically, it is the Accord party and the government of Adeleke that would cry foul while our members bear the scars of political violence,” he said.
On the conditions required for a free and fair election, Oyebamiji said his party would abide strictly by INEC and security rules, insisting that violence has never been part of APC’s political character.
He said, “Violence is synonymous to the opposition. Especially if you look at all the states that APC has governors, there has not been any violence propelled, driven, or initiated by the APC government.”
He disclosed that about three to four months earlier, the party had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Commissioner, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant of the Civil Defence Corps over allegations that the opposition had customised vehicles in APC colours to perpetrate criminal activities across the state.
“We are privileged to have that information, and we informed them accordingly. All those criminal activities that have been perpetrated in Osun are being initiated by the Accord party,” he said.
On his chances of winning the election, Oyebamiji expressed confidence, stating, “Politics is about numbers. This time around, we have the numbers on our side.”
Speaking on how he intends to fund his Prosperity Agenda, he said he had demonstrated fiscal competence in the past, recalling that he stabilised the state’s finances within two months of assuming office as Commissioner for Finance under Aregbesola.
He said, “The first thing is to block the leakages and cut the cost of governance. We won’t witch-hunt anyone. The second one is to expand the revenue base. We have done it in the past.”
He cited the World Bank’s recognition of Osun as the best-managed and most profitable revenue-enhancement state during Oyetola’s tenure, pledging to deploy efficient technology to further expand the state’s finance base.
On local government autonomy, Oyebamiji said the Supreme Court’s ruling had settled the matter, noting that his party had never interfered in local government affairs, even before the autonomy took effect.
Responding to a question on zoning, he expressed confidence in his chances, stating that both he and the incumbent governor hail from the West senatorial district, a factor he said favoured his emergence.
Assessing Governor Adeleke’s performance, Oyebamiji said the administration had not justified the enormous resources at its disposal, insisting that citizens deserved visible improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and employment commensurate with the revenue received.
He said, “We believe there are legitimate questions regarding priorities, project implementation and overall outcomes. Have schools improved sufficiently? Has healthcare become more accessible? Have roads and other public infrastructure been upgraded? Have enough jobs been created? These are not partisan questions.”
On his criticism of some infrastructure projects executed by the current administration, he raised concerns over transparency, procurement processes, and construction standards, insisting that public funds should always translate into measurable value for citizens.
He said his administration, if elected, would ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money guided every infrastructure project undertaken by the state.
On what distinguishes his campaign from his opponents’, Oyebamiji said his focus remained on governance and practical solutions rather than propaganda or personal attacks, stressing that his campaign centres on job creation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Speaking further on political violence, he described it as a serious concern that should worry every stakeholder, regardless of political affiliation, noting that APC members had, over the years, been attacked, injured, and in some cases killed.
He said, “In 2022 alone, we lost 25 members to political violence. That is now history, but it is a painful reminder that no political office is worth the life of any citizen.”
He maintained that the APC remains a party built on ideas, performance, and programmes rather than intimidation, insisting that those currently in government appeared determined to deploy violence as a political tool.
Reacting to claims by his opponents that the APC is responsible for tension in the state, Oyebamiji rejected the narrative, stating that his party had, on several occasions, alerted security agencies to planned acts of violence it believed the Accord Party intended to carry out.
He said, “The party in office is the one harbouring political thugs to attack us.”
On the allegations of criminal activities and security issues raised during the interview, Oyebamiji insisted that the rule of law must prevail, stressing that investigations into criminal allegations should be thorough, transparent, and devoid of political interference.
He said, “We have expressed concern over reports that some criminal cases were discontinued because such developments naturally raise public questions. Citizens deserve confidence that justice is being administered fairly.”
He called on security agencies to remain professional, impartial, and committed to the rule of law ahead of the election, urging them to investigate every reported case of violence or intimidation and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.
He said, “We do not require federal might to win the Osun governorship election. We believe the people of Osun will freely choose the candidate they consider best prepared to govern the state.”
