No political ambition justifies bloodshed, Oyebamiji declares, demands account of Osun revenue
Maureen Aguta
As the Osun State governorship race gathers momentum, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has declared that no political office is worth the loss of human life, while challenging the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke to account for what he described as the state’s significantly improved monthly federal allocations.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on Sunday, Oyebamiji said the sanctity of human life would form the cornerstone of his administration if elected, insisting that governance must be judged by its ability to protect lives, improve citizens’ welfare and deliver measurable development.
“There is no position that is worth killing a soul. The welfare of the people and the security of the people are the main variables in my governance. Every other thing is complementary,” he said.
The APC standard bearer pledged to run an inclusive administration driven by consultation and grassroots engagement, arguing that government policies must reflect the diverse needs of different segments of society rather than adopt a one-size-fits-all approach.
According to him, artisans, traders, market women, civil servants and other groups face distinct socio-economic challenges that require targeted interventions.
“The needs of artisans are different from those of civil servants and marketers. Good leadership starts by understanding these needs and addressing them. We need to listen to these categories of people and run an inclusive government,” Oyebamiji said.
The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) also took aim at the Adeleke administration over what he described as the absence of visible infrastructure and development projects despite what he claimed was a sharp rise in Osun State’s monthly federal allocation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He alleged that the state has consistently received between ₦16 billion and ₦17 billion monthly from the Federation Account but questioned how the funds had been utilised.
“This state has been receiving between ₦16 billion and ₦17 billion monthly since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came on board. What has this administration been doing with the money?” he asked.
“You can go around Osogbo and across the state and barely find projects that justify these funds. The current administration has even struggled to hold meetings for its executives.”
Drawing comparisons with previous APC administrations in the state, Oyebamiji argued that the governments of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola delivered more impactful projects despite operating with significantly lower revenues.
He maintained that prudent management of public resources, transparency and accountability are essential to restoring public confidence in government, adding that leadership should be anchored on collective decision-making and citizen participation.
Quoting a management principle he described as “management by objectives,” Oyebamiji said effective governance requires broad stakeholder involvement in setting priorities and implementing development programmes.
“Running government is about the people. Everyone should have a sense of belonging and contribute to achieving our development objectives,” he said.
Reaffirming his campaign promises, the APC governorship candidate said his administration would prioritise security, social welfare, fiscal discipline and people-centred development, stressing that every kobo of public funds must translate into tangible improvements in the quality of life of Osun residents.
He insisted that rebuilding public trust in government would require leadership that places human lives above political ambition and delivers visible dividends of democracy.