The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of failing to translate increased federal allocations into meaningful development.
Speaking during a media parley in Lagos on Monday, Oyebamiji, who was Commissioner for Finance in the state, said the last Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation received by the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola was about N2.6 billion, compared to an average monthly allocation of about N16 billion under the current administration.
‘The last allocation received by the APC administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola from the Federation Account Allocation Committee stood at approximately N2.6 billion. Today, the average monthly allocation to the state is about N16 billion without commensurate value to the state and its citizens,’ he said.
He further alleged that some infrastructure projects executed by the current administration were awarded ‘secretly to incompetent contractors,’ with several of the projects allegedly failing before they were commissioned.
The APC flag bearer also raised concerns over political violence in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, alleging that more than 25 members of his party were killed during the 2022 governorship poll.
‘I have been a victim 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, the Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Honourable 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.
‘Therefore, the ongoing political violence in the state has all the signs of the government in power on it,’ he alleged.
He added that some of the alleged murder cases are currently being prosecuted before the Federal High Court.
Oyebamiji, who was flanked by the Director-General of his campaign council, Wole Oke; Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Remi Omowaiye; and Co-Chairman, Funke Egbemode, also unveiled his 100-day agenda, promising to prioritise workers’ welfare, youth empowerment, security, infrastructure development and fiscal reforms if elected.
He said his administration would undertake a comprehensive review of outstanding entitlements owed to serving and retired workers and begin immediate payment within its first 100 days in office.
‘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,’ he said.
The APC candidate also pledged to make the Dagbolu Dry Port fully operational, describing it as a strategic economic asset capable of attracting investment and creating jobs.
‘We are equally committed to ensuring that the Dagbolu Dry Port becomes fully operational,’ he said.
On youth development, Oyebamiji said his administration would partner relevant organisations to train and empower at least 10,000 young people in information and communication technology.
‘Through strategic partnerships, we will commence the training and empowerment of no fewer than 10,000 young people in information and communication technology,’ he said.
He also promised to strengthen security through monthly meetings of the State Security Council involving security agencies, traditional rulers and local government leaders, launch pilot renewable energy projects in public institutions and rural communities, review the state’s financial position, and carry out a statewide infrastructure audit to identify priority economic roads and other critical infrastructure requiring government intervention.
Oyebamiji said his campaign is anchored on a seven-point ‘Prosperity Agenda’ focusing on poverty alleviation, responsive governance, economic growth, security, agriculture, education and healthcare, as well as infrastructure development.