The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, AMBO, has appealed to the state government and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, free and fair governorship election.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Oyebamiji said the APC remained committed to peaceful conduct and had not been involved in acts of political violence, urging authorities to prevent a recurrence of election-related unrest.
According to him, about 25 people reportedly lost their lives during the 2022 election in the state, stressing the need for security agencies to take proactive measures to safeguard lives and property during the forthcoming poll.
He disclosed that he had written to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, calling their attention to alleged incidents of political violence.
Oyebamiji alleged that buses painted in APC colours had been used by criminals to perpetrate unlawful acts in an attempt to implicate the party, adding that criminal activities in the state were allegedly being carried out by members of another political party.
“It is important for the security agencies to take charge so that we can have a free and fair election,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the APC’s chances at the poll, the governorship hopeful said the party enjoyed widespread grassroots support across the state.
“Politics is about numbers, and this time around we have the numbers on our side. I believe Najeem Salam will soon join us, but even if he doesn’t, by the grace of God we will emerge victorious,” he stated.
Oyebamiji also outlined his administration’s economic agenda, promising to conduct a comprehensive audit of the state’s finances if elected.
He said the exercise would enable his administration to understand the state’s financial position and formulate policies to improve fiscal management.
The APC candidate pledged to expand the state’s internally generated revenue through the deployment of technology, noting that similar reforms were implemented during the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
“We will audit the finances and expand the revenue base. We have done this before during the Oyetola administration, and we will deploy efficient technology to achieve better results,” he said.
On local government administration, Oyebamiji pledged to uphold local government autonomy, insisting that the APC had always respected the independence of local councils.
He also expressed optimism about his electoral prospects, noting that both he and the incumbent governor are from Osun West Senatorial District.
“The current governor is from the West, and I am also from the West. I can confidently say that I am winning the election,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) Campaign Organisation in Osun State, Hon. Oluwole (Wole) Oke, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain neutral and impartial in the conduct of the forthcoming governorship election.
“All we want from INEC and the security agencies is that they should neither support us nor our opponents. They should be neutral,” Oke said.
He added that the AMBO campaign was working closely with opposition parties in the state, insisting that there was a broad consensus that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration had fallen short of expectations.
“We are working together with all the opposition parties in Osun State. There is a consensus that Governor Adeleke is grossly incompetent. The government lacks the capacity to deliver, and it has nothing meaningful to offer the people. Our candidate is miles ahead in terms of competence and vision,” he said.
According to Oke, the campaign had toured communities across the state to assess the needs of the people and develop practical solutions.
“We have gone round the nooks and crannies of the state to carry out a needs assessment. Osun State is tremendously blessed, with abundant mineral resources. We have the capacity and the wherewithal to turn the state’s economy around and unlock its enormous potential,” he said.