Oyebamiji unveils people-centred leadership plan, rejects politics of patronage.

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15, 2026 Osun State election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has unveiled a people-centred leadership agenda anchored on competence, inclusiveness and accountability, declaring that his administration will reject the politics of patronage.

Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), said his administration would depart from the politics of patronage by prioritising competence, character and innovative thinking in appointments and public policy, insisting that governance must be driven by ideas capable of improving the welfare of the people.

Speaking with members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria after attending church services in Osogbo, the APC standard bearer said leadership requires the humility to listen, the wisdom to identify capable people and the courage to embrace constructive criticism.

He asserted that if voted into power, his administration assemble the best talents to drive the state’s transformation, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliations.

“I won’t govern alone. I will search for the best hands wherever they are because government exists to improve the lives of the people. Every good leader surrounds himself with competent people who can help deliver results,” he said.

According to him, his administration would remain accessible to citizens and encourage robust public participation in decision-making, noting that government must always respond to the actual needs of the people rather than imposing policies disconnected from reality.

“It will no longer be business as usual. We will listen to every idea and every opinion. Sometimes government thinks people need water, whereas what they actually need is food. We must listen because the idea dismissed today could become tomorrow’s solution,” he stated.

Oyebamiji lamented what he described as the growing shortage of quality leadership in public service, arguing that governments suffer when competence is sacrificed for political loyalty.

“Our challenge is not a lack of talented people. The problem is that too often those with ideas, integrity and capacity are ignored, while appointments are made on other considerations. Whenever you find people with vision and solutions, you should harvest those ideas because they are invaluable to development,” he added.

The APC candidate also criticised what he described as the underutilisation of increased federal allocations to Osun State, questioning the visible impact of significantly higher revenues received by the present administration.

He recalled that towards the end of the previous APC administration in 2022, monthly federal allocations to the state stood at about ₦2.6 billion, compared to between ₦16 billion and ₦17 billion currently being received.

“As someone with a financial background, I believe the people deserve to see commensurate development from such improved revenues. Public resources must translate into better roads, schools, hospitals, jobs and improved living standards,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to accountability, Oyebamiji challenged journalists to play their constitutional role by holding his administration accountable if elected.

“You helped us showcase our achievements at NIWA. I ask you to hold us accountable in Osun as well. Judge us by our performance and by the development our administration delivers,” he said.

His remarks align with his broader Prosperity Agenda, which promises transparent governance, economic revitalisation, improved infrastructure, quality education, better healthcare, enhanced security, agricultural transformation and expanded opportunities for youths, women and small businesses.

The former NIWA chief has also pledged to revive strategic economic assets, including the Dagbolu Dry Port, Osun Free Trade Zone, Ido-Osun Airport and tourism destinations, as part of efforts to reposition Osun as a competitive investment and industrial hub.

In separate engagements with religious groups and community leaders, Oyebamiji has consistently promised to uphold the Nigerian Constitution, guarantee freedom of worship, ensure fairness in governance and promote inclusive development across all communities.

Meanwhile, many worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church, Ibudo, Osunjela, Osogbo, where the APC candidate worshipped on Sunday, expressed confidence in his leadership credentials, describing him as an experienced administrator with the competence, national exposure and strategic connections required to reposition Osun State for sustainable growth.

They pledged their support, expressing optimism that his governance philosophy centred on competence, accountability and broad stakeholder engagement would usher in a new era of economic prosperity and institutional development for the state.