Osun 2026: AMBO courts traders with SME support package, market infrastructure plan

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has unveiled an economic support package for traders, artisans and small business owners, promising interest-free loans, regular grants and improved market infrastructure if elected governor.

Oyebamiji made the pledge during an endorsement rally organised by market men and women at the popular Igbonna Market in Osogbo, where thousands of traders declared their support for his candidacy and vowed to mobilise votes for the APC in the forthcoming governorship election.

Addressing the gathering, the APC standard-bearer said empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would be a key priority of his administration, describing traders and artisans as critical drivers of Osun State’s economy.

He promised to introduce structured financial intervention programmes that would provide business owners with access to grants and interest-free loans to expand their enterprises, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

“Our government will prioritise the needs of traders by investing in their businesses through regular grants and interest-free loan schemes. We will formulate policies that guarantee easier access to financial support, enabling our people to grow their businesses without the burden of high lending costs,” Oyebamiji said.

Beyond financial assistance, he pledged to modernise markets across the state by providing critical infrastructure, improving sanitation, enhancing security and creating a more conducive environment for commercial activities.

According to him, his administration would also extend similar interventions to artisans and other small-scale entrepreneurs while ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state.

“We will deliberately develop our markets by providing the infrastructure and amenities required to support commerce and industry. We will secure markets across Osun and create an environment where businesses can flourish,” he assured.

Earlier, market leaders formally endorsed the APC candidate, describing him as a competent and experienced leader capable of transforming the state’s economy.

Speaking on behalf of the traders, the Babaloja General of Osun State, Chief David Iyiola, represented by the Otun Babaloja of Igbonna Market, Chief Muideen Ajao, alongside the market secretary, Mrs. Okunoye Temitope, said the endorsement reflected the confidence of market men and women in Oyebamiji’s leadership capacity and development agenda.

The traders pledged to mobilise support for the APC across markets in the state, expressing optimism that an Oyebamiji administration would improve the welfare of traders and strengthen the state’s commercial sector.

They also urged market women, artisans, buyers and sellers across Osun State to turn out in large numbers on August 15 and vote for the APC candidate, expressing confidence that his proposed SME support package and market development plan would boost economic opportunities and improve livelihoods across the state.