The three leading candidates in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Dr Najeem Salam, presented their manifestos and outlined their plans for the state at a town hall meeting yesterday.
The event, organised by Arise TV, also featured other candidates from smaller parties. It provided a platform for the contenders to highlight their achievements, political experience, and proposed policies on infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, security, and economic development.
Governor Adeleke showcased what he described as extensive achievements in infrastructure, education, agriculture, and healthcare. He cited road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state, including the dualised road leading to the Ooni of Ife’s palace and projects in Ila-Orangun. On education, he said Osun had moved from 33rd to 7th position nationally in WAEC and NECO rankings under his administration. He also highlighted the rehabilitation of about 200 healthcare centres, provision of boreholes, solar lighting, and medical equipment, as well as procurement of tractors to support farmers.
APC candidate Oyebamiji, a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, promised to run a transparent and accountable government.
He criticised what he described as an imbalance in resource distribution, alleging that 97 per cent of Osun’s resources currently go to just two local governments. He pledged to prioritise healthcare and education, improve facilities, support teachers, and ensure equitable distribution of resources across towns and villages.
ADC candidate Salam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, commended Arise TV for providing an unbiased platform. He described himself as a peacemaker and vowed to tackle political thuggery, citing recent violence allegedly linked to APC and Accord supporters. Salam also made agriculture central to his agenda, promising to establish farm estates with modern machinery, schools, clinics, water supply, and housing to boost productivity.
He said improved road access to farms and dedicated markets in cities would help farmers sell their produce and strengthen food security.
The town hall meeting featured seasoned media professionals including Dr Reuben Abati, Dr Lasisi Olagunju, Dr Festus Adedayo, and Adesuwa Omoruan, who engaged the candidates on governance, public finance, and the challenges confronting Osun ahead of the election.