The APC candidate promises rapid reforms, worker payments and grassroots development as he campaigns to unseat the incumbent governor on August 15

All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji has expressed confidence that the party will defeat Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15 governorship election, insisting that the APC has secured enough grassroots support to reclaim the state.

Also read: Osun APC Claims Court Ruling Threatens Adeleke Re-election Bid

Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, made the declaration while addressing media editors in Lagos, where he said the APC’s campaign had gained traction among voters across Osun State.

“We have the numbers already. We are going to win the election,” Oyebamiji said.

“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 candidate said his confidence was built around the party’s Prosperity Agenda, a seven-point blueprint that he said would focus on reducing poverty, improving workers’ welfare, creating jobs and strengthening transparent governance.

The programme also covers economic growth, youth and women empowerment, security, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, culture and tourism.

Oyebamiji promised that one of his administration’s earliest priorities would be to address outstanding entitlements owed to serving and retired workers.

He pledged that within his first 100 days in office, his administration would review the outstanding obligations and begin immediate payments.

The APC candidate also promised to make the Dagbolu Dry Port fully operational and train and empower at least 10,000 young people in information and communication technology through strategic partnerships.

Other early initiatives, he said, would include monthly State Security Council meetings, pilot off-grid renewable energy projects, a fiscal sustainability review and a comprehensive audit of infrastructure across the state.

On revenue generation, Oyebamiji said Osun could not afford to depend solely on allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee.

“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.

He also pledged to implement local government autonomy, promising to give councils greater room to deliver development directly to communities.

“Local government autonomy has come to stay. We will allow local governments to function effectively and deliver development directly to the grassroots,” Oyebamiji said.

On financial accountability, the APC candidate promised a comprehensive review of the state’s finances if elected, while insisting that the exercise would not be used as a tool for 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 said.

Oyebamiji also criticised the Adeleke administration over its management of state resources, arguing that the increase in monthly FAAC allocations had not translated into sufficient development across Osun.

He claimed that the immediate past APC administration received about N2.6bn monthly from FAAC, while the current government now receives an average of about N16bn.

The figures and the candidate’s assessment could not be independently verified from the information available.

He further alleged that more than 70 per cent of the state’s resources were concentrated in the two local government areas that make up Ede, describing the alleged imbalance as the “Ede-nisation” of Osun State.

Oyebamiji promised that an APC government would distribute public projects and resources more equitably across the state.

The APC candidate also raised concerns about political violence ahead of the election, alleging that members of his party had suffered disproportionately from attacks.

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, among those he said were victims.

Oyebamiji also referred to recent attacks allegedly involving APC supporters, including an incident in Ede, as evidence of what he described as a worsening security situation.

“The ongoing political violence in the state has all the signs of the government in power on it,” he alleged.

He said the APC had documented several incidents and was pursuing legal avenues to seek justice.

The candidate called on security agencies to maintain neutrality and ensure that the August 15 election is peaceful, credible and free from violence.

He said the protection of lives and property would remain a central responsibility of his administration if elected.

The allegations come against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Osun as the election approaches.

The Osun State Government has repeatedly accused opposition elements, including members of the APC, of contributing to political unrest in the state, while alleging that federal authorities and security agencies have been used to target its supporters.

With the campaign entering its decisive phase, Oyebamiji’s message is centred on an APC return to power, economic reform and a stronger focus on grassroots development.

Also read: Adeleke Alleges APC Violent Osogbo Palace Attack

The election will ultimately test whether his confidence in the party’s claimed grassroots support translates into votes and whether Osun voters choose continuity under Adeleke or a return to APC rule.