Osun 2026: Oyebamiji Unveils Anti-Poverty Agenda, Says APC Ready to Transform State
Osun 2026: Oyebamiji Unveils Anti-Poverty Agenda, Says APC Ready to Transform State
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has unveiled an ambitious development agenda centred on tackling poverty and hunger, improving security and expanding investment in agriculture, education, healthcare and human capital development as the August 15, 2026 governorship election approaches.
Oyebamiji, speaking at a governorship town hall meeting in Osogbo alongside other leading candidates, presented himself as prepared to provide a people-centred administration capable of extending development across all parts of Osun State.
The APC candidate stressed that governance must serve the entire state rather than particular communities, towns or political interests, promising that his administration would prioritise the welfare of residents irrespective of where they live.
A major component of Oyebamiji’s programme is tackling the economic difficulties confronting ordinary families. He pledged significant investment in agriculture, education and healthcare as part of a broader strategy to reduce hunger and poverty and strengthen the productive capacity of the state.
His economic message comes as employment opportunities, food security, internally generated revenue, infrastructure and the cost of living remain major issues dominating political conversations ahead of the governorship election.
Oyebamiji also placed human capital development at the centre of his agenda, arguing that sustainable development requires deliberate investment in people alongside physical infrastructure.
The APC candidate rejected allegations that his campaign was depending on “federal might” to secure victory, insisting that his confidence was based on consultations and engagements with residents across Osun.
According to him, he has visited all 30 local government areas of the state multiple times and interacted with different sections of society, including community leaders, artisans, traders, lawyers, civil servants and party members.
Oyebamiji said those engagements had strengthened his conviction that many residents were ready for a change in leadership.
His candidature also brings considerable public-sector and financial management experience into the governorship contest. Oyebamiji previously served as Osun State Commissioner for Finance and later became Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority.
During the town hall, the APC candidate also challenged the financial management record of the incumbent administration, raising questions about the level of federal allocations received by Osun and the development outcomes achieved with the funds.
He claimed that the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola left about N15 billion behind and challenged Governor Ademola Adeleke to explain how federal allocations received under his administration had translated into development across the state.
The claims formed part of the sharp exchanges between the major candidates as the election campaign entered its final stretch.
Governor Adeleke, who is seeking another term on the platform of the Accord Party, defended his administration’s record, pointing to investments in roads, healthcare and agriculture.
Adeleke said his government had constructed about 350 kilometres of roads, with another 160 kilometres under construction, and rehabilitated about 200 healthcare centres. He also cited the purchase of tractors and distribution of agricultural inputs among his administration’s achievements.
The governor dismissed criticism of the quality of some projects as political propaganda and expressed confidence that voters would assess his administration based on its performance.
African Democratic Congress candidate Dr Najeem Salaam, meanwhile, promised a people-centred government and said his political and administrative experience positioned him to address existing governance challenges. He also identified political violence and insecurity as major concerns requiring urgent attention.
African Action Congress candidate Olajide Esan pledged greater transparency and citizen participation, proposing an Osun residents’ database and a financial dashboard through which citizens could monitor government expenditure.
However, Oyebamiji’s message focused strongly on combining economic intervention with investments in essential sectors, presenting poverty reduction, security and human development as critical priorities for the next administration.
With the governorship election approaching, Osun voters will ultimately determine which of the competing programmes offers the most convincing pathway for the state’s future.
For the APC, Oyebamiji’s combination of financial management experience, federal administrative exposure and grassroots consultations forms a central part of its case for returning to power in Osun.
The APC candidate maintained that his ambition goes beyond winning an election, insisting that the ultimate objective is to build an administration capable of improving living conditions and creating opportunities across the state.
As campaigns enter their decisive stage, the contest is increasingly becoming a choice between the incumbent administration’s record and competing proposals for Osun’s economic and developmental future.
