Osun Decides: I’ll block leakages, expand revenue – Oyebamiji | RealNaijaGist

n n

By Clifford Ndujihe & Juliet Umeh

The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, AMBO, in this interview speaks on his chances, allegations of political violence, his plans to stabilise the state’s finances, expand revenue through technology, reduce government spending, implement local government autonomy, and deliver on his administration’s prosperity agenda, if elected.

On why he is running

I am a credible alternative to the current administration in Osun State. I served as the Commissioner for Finance under the administrations of Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola. Before then, I served as the Managing Director of the Osun Investment Company Limited, now known as Omoluabi Holdings Limited.

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 N2.6 billion. Today, the average monthly allocation to the state is about ¦ 16 billion without commensurate values to the state and her citizens.

In fact, 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. Our Prosperity Agenda has continued to gain widespread acceptance among the people of Osun. So far, we have taken our campaign to all the 30 local government areas of the state. As a party, our firm belief is that the primary responsibility of any government, as provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the security and welfare of its citizens. Consequently, our Prosperity Agenda is built on seven key pillars:

P – Poverty Alleviation, Workers’ Welfare, and Job Creation; R – Responsive, Accountable, and Transparent Governance; O – Opportunities for Economic Growth, Support Programmes for Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs), and Youth and Women Empowerment; S – Security, Safety, and Social Protection; P – Productive Agriculture Through Public-Private Partnerships and Rural Development; E – Education, Skills Development, and Targeted Investment in Healthcare Delivery; and R – Renewed Investment in Infrastructure to Drive Inclusive Growth, Culture, and Tourism.

In line with our campaign promises, within our first 100 days in office, we will undertake a comprehensive review of all outstanding entitlements owed to active and retired workers and commence immediate payment. We are equally committed to ensuring that the Dagbolu Dry Port becomes fully operational. In addition to these, through strategic partnerships, we will commence the training and empowerment of not fewer than 10,000 young people in information and communication technology.

We will also institutionalise monthly meetings of the State Security Council involving security agencies, traditional rulers, and local government leaders. Furthermore, we will launch pilot off-grid renewable energy projects in selected public institutions and rural communities. Similarly, we will conduct a comprehensive fiscal sustainability review covering state revenue, expenditure, and debt obligations. We will also undertake a state-wide infrastructure audit to identify priority economic roads and other critical infrastructure needs. These, among others, are the initiatives that we consider essential within our first one hundred days in office.

We want to reassure Osun people and Nigerians that both the APC and I have been victims of the persistent political violence in Osun State. During the 2022 governorship election, more than 25 members of our party were allegedly murdered by members of the political party in power in Osun. In my own local government area for example, the Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Remi Abass, was killed within the council secretariat. Our party has also documented several other politically-motivated attacks and killings, for which we continue to seek justice through the courts.

The ongoing political violence in the state has all the signs of the government in power on it. Just recently, the Inspector-General of Police visited Osun State and publicly raised allegations concerning individuals accused of criminal activities being housed within the Government House. Reports also emerged a few days ago concerning the arrest of a suspected criminal within the private residence of the Secretary to the State Government in Osogbo. Furthermore, reports on Sunday night indicated that some of our members were attacked in Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

As an opposition party, these are some of the experiences of members of our party. Ironically, it is the Accord party and the government of Adeleke that would cry foul while our members bear the scars of political violence.

What are the conditions that will guarantee a free and fair governorship election in Osun State?

For us, first of all, we are going to abide by the rule of law, especially relying on INEC rules and security rules. If I have to take you back to the memory lane, the antecedents of APC in this country is not about violence.

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.

It is not in our character and it is the same in Osun. About three-four months ago, we wrote to the IG, the policy commissioner, the director of DSS and the Commander of Civil Defence Corp, the opposition had designed, customised vehicles in APC colours and used those vehicles to perpetuate criminal activities.

We are privileged to have that information and we inform them accordingly. All those criminal activities that have been perpetrated in Osun are being initiated by the Accord party.

And we have written to the INEC and the security operators.

It is important for them to take that into account.

On his chances of winning the election

Politics is about numbers. This time around, we have the numbers on our side.

On how he would get funds to execute his prosperity agenda

We have done it in the past during the Rauf Areghesola regime when I was the Commissioner for Finance. I came in May, by July, I had stabilised the finance of the state.

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.

During Oyetola’s regime, the World Bank gave an award to the state as the best managed and profitable revenue enhancement state. We will deploy efficient technology to expand the finance base of the Osun State.

On his plan for local government autonomy

The Supreme Court has ruled, local government autonomy is here to stay. Even before the autonomy of the local government, during Oyetola’s tenure, we had never been involved in the activities of the local government.

Is the zoning formula in Osun State in your favour?

On zoning, what we have in Osun is one APC, and the current governor is from the West, I’m also from the West. So, I can confidently say that come 15th of August, I will win that election.

On his assessment of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s performance

Our position is that the current administration has not justified the enormous resources at its disposal. This assessment is based on publicly available information regarding federal allocations, intervention funds, and other revenues received by the state.

The critical question is whether those resources have translated into visible improvements in the lives of ordinary people. When governments receive substantial revenues, citizens expect corresponding progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, employment and economic development.

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. Every citizen has the right to demand accountability because public resources belong to the people.

Our campaign is centred on measurable performance, responsible governance and a clear vision for the future of Osun State.

You have criticised some infrastructure projects undertaken by the government. What are your concerns?

Our concerns centre on value for money, transparency and quality of execution.

Infrastructure is important, but citizens deserve assurance that public funds are being spent responsibly. Whenever huge sums are committed to projects, the government should be transparent about costs, procurement processes, implementation timelines and expected outcomes.

We have also raised concerns about aspects of some road and bridge projects, including questions about construction standards and project delivery. Infrastructure should be built to last and should serve communities for generations.

Our criticism is not opposition for its own sake. We simply believe every naira spent should produce measurable value for the people.

If elected, transparency, accountability and value for money will guide every infrastructure project undertaken by our administration.

What distinguishes your campaign from that of your opponents?

Our campaign is distinguished by its focus on governance and practical solutions. We are not interested in propaganda or personal attacks. Our emphasis is on issues that affect ordinary citizens every day, job creation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and economic development.

We believe politics should be about offering solutions rather than trading insults. That is the approach we have adopted, and it is the approach we intend to sustain if elected.

His take on political violence in Osun State

Political violence remains a serious concern, and it should worry every stakeholder regardless of political affiliation. Democracy thrives only when citizens can freely express their opinions, participate in political activities and vote without fear.

Our party has repeatedly raised concerns over attacks on some of our members and supporters. Over the years, APC members have reportedly been attacked, injured, and, in some cases, killed. We have consistently brought these incidents to the attention of security agencies because every allegation of violence deserves proper investigation.

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.

Political competition should never degenerate into violence. Regardless of political differences, we remain members of the same communities and citizens of the same state.

I believe political leaders have a responsibility to promote peace. They must be careful with their words and actions because supporters often take their cue from them. We should encourage dialogue, tolerance and respect for differing opinions.

The APC is not a violent party. Violence is not part of our political culture. We intend to win the confidence of voters through our ideas, performance and programmes rather than intimidation. Unfortunately, from what we have witnessed, those currently in government appear determined to deploy violence as a political tool.

But your opponents argue that the APC is responsible for tension in the state.

We reject that narrative completely. Elections should be decided on governance, policies and performance, not on allegations or hostility. We have, on several occasions, received intelligence about planned acts of violence and alerted the appropriate security agencies to what we believe the Accord Party intended to do. Whatever is happening in Osun today is being propelled by those in power.

Our focus remains on presenting our programmes while allowing voters to make informed decisions. Democracy works best when citizens have clear choices based on facts and performance.

The party in office is the one harbouring political thugs to attack us.

You have made allegations regarding criminal activities and security issues in the state. Can you elaborate?

Our position has always been that the rule of law must prevail.

Where individuals are accused of criminal offences, investigations should be thorough, transparent and allowed to run their course without political interference.

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.

No one should be presumed guilty without due process, but serious allegations should never be ignored.

Law enforcement agencies and the judiciary must remain independent and professional. Political considerations should never interfere with the administration of justice because public confidence depends on the integrity of these institutions.

What message do you have for security agencies ahead of the election?

My message is simple: remain professional, impartial and committed to the rule of law.

Security agencies have a constitutional responsibility to protect every citizen regardless of political affiliation. Their duty is to maintain peace, prevent violence and ensure that voters can exercise their democratic rights without fear.

Every reported case of violence or intimidation should be thoroughly investigated, and anyone found culpable should face the law.

Accountability is essential to maintaining public confidence.

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.

n n

Osun Decides: I’ll block leakages, expand revenue – Oyebamiji