Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has declared that the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, was the strongest performer at the recent candidates’ town hall meeting organised by Arise TV.
Ajayi said Oyebamiji distinguished himself through his understanding of public finance, policy formulation and the practical challenges facing the state, arguing that the APC candidate approached the debate from the standpoint of governance rather than political rhetoric.
The presidential aide made the assessment in a series of posts on his X handle on Wednesday, three days before the August 15 governorship election.
Oyebamiji is contesting against the incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salam.
According to Ajayi, the town hall provided an opportunity for voters to assess the candidates beyond their political affiliations and campaign activities.
He said, ‘On the evidence of what I saw at the town hall, Oyebamiji made the stronger case that he understands that job.’
Explaining his position, Ajayi said the APC candidate’s experience as a former Commissioner for Finance and banker was evident in how he addressed questions about the state’s economy and the management of public resources.
He said, ‘If the exercise is judged strictly on policy articulation, command of facts, fiscal realism and evidence of managerial competence, I will candidly say Oyebamiji came out ahead.’
Ajayi also highlighted Oyebamiji’s account of his previous government roles, including his tenure as Commissioner for Finance under former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.
The presidential aide said the candidate presented himself as having direct experience managing public finances rather than merely making promises about what he would do in office.
He added that Oyebamiji’s references to his work with Osun State Investment Holdings, including claims of turning around the organisation and developing assets in Lagos and Abuja, further reinforced his argument for managerial competence.
Ajayi argued that financial sustainability should be a major consideration for voters given Osun’s history of fiscal constraints.
‘Promising everything without convincingly explaining the financing is not social policy, but fiscal romanticism,’ he said, adding that Oyebamiji ‘played to his professional strength.’
While praising Oyebamiji’s performance, Ajayi criticised Adeleke’s approach to the town hall, saying the governor spent considerable time attacking former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Gboyega Oyetola.
He argued that Adeleke, as an incumbent seeking re-election, should have concentrated more on his administration’s achievements and presented a stronger case for another term.
‘Political attacks may excite loyalists, but they are no substitute for a convincing account of stewardship,’ Ajayi said.
He also questioned the financial feasibility of some of Salam’s campaign promises, particularly those involving free services and expanded government intervention.
According to him, such promises may appeal to voters, but they must be backed by credible plans for funding and implementation.
Ajayi maintained that the election should ultimately be decided by candidates’ records, policy proposals and capacity to manage the state’s resources.
He said, ‘A governorship election should be an audit of competing records, plans and managerial capacity, not a popularity contest between personalities.’
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.