By Lukuman Adewale Jimoh-Atoba, Ph.D.
Obaagun, Osun State
waleatoba11@gmail.com
The governorship election in Osun State is less than two weeks away, specifically scheduled for August 15th, 2026. The political landscape is charged with the usual excitement, funfairs, banners, homage to the palaces, rallies, slogans, and the theatrics that often define typical Nigerian campaigns. Yet, beneath the noise, a more fundamental and unbiased question needs to be answered: who is best equipped to manage the complexities of governance in a demanding fiscal and administrative climate? Who is the most capable of ensuring that the people of Osun see value for their money? Yes, the allocation from the Federal Account has improved, but do we truly have value for money in Osun State? The answer is one the people of Osun State deserve to know for a reasonable reason.
In all honesty, and based on past evidence, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (otherwise known as AMBO) represents something very different. He is a politician and financial expert who understands that governance is not about spectacle but about structure, system, and sustainable development. In my assessment, and that of many people without political party affiliations, his candidacy offers a different proposition by prioritizing long-term stability over short-term political theater, as has been demonstrated in his campaign.
In contrast to what we currently witness in the state, Oyebamiji's trajectory does not align with segmental development; he has a mindset geared towards the equitable allocation of resources to the people of Osun State. His profile has been built incrementally through years of engagement in both private business and public service. With nearly three decades in the financial sector, spanning WEMA Bank, Trans International Bank, Spring Bank, and Enterprise Bank, he brings to politics a mindset shaped by discipline, risk assessment, and institutional thinking.
Quoting him: "I am a man with a history, a history built on integrity, discipline, hard work, and steady progress." His years in public service, particularly as Commissioner for Finance in Osun State, did not witness a departure from these principles; they reinforced them. At a time when Osun faced significant fiscal challenges, governance was less about expansion and more about survival, and he was able to navigate through the stubborn economic coma in the state.
This is among the things that people like us, and many who view Nigerian politics from abroad, would love to see in the affairs of Osun State. We believe that Oyebamiji is not a product of sudden fame or an opportunist seeking to govern on existing glory but rather a man of perseverance, accountability, and purposeful leadership.
Here, let me re-echo his agenda, which he calls PROSPER—a pact with the people. This agenda includes:
■ P = Poverty Alleviation: Empowerment programs for women, farmers, artisans, and market women. Micro-credit, skills acquisition, and direct support to lift families out of poverty.
■ R = Road Reconstruction and Construction: Fix all intra-city and rural roads. Link farms to markets. Tar the "death trap" roads and maintain them yearly. Osun must be motorist-friendly.
■ O = Opportunity for Youths & Entrepreneurs: Create jobs through tech hubs, agriculture value chains, and SME support. Youth internships, startup grants, and partnerships with the private sector.
■ S = Security and Social Welfare: Strengthen Amotekun and community policing. Welfare for the elderly, widows, and people with disabilities. Ensure peace and safety before, during, and after elections.
■ P = Public Health & Primary Healthcare: Upgrade all General Hospitals and PHCs. Employ more doctors and nurses. Ensure drugs and equipment are available. Place special focus on College Health Centres.
■ E = Education - Quality and Employment Opportunities for Youths: Build more classrooms and lecture halls. Train teachers and lecturers. Introduce vocational training in schools. Link graduates to jobs. Blend online and physical learning.
■ R = Responsible Governance & Resource Equity: Implement a citizen-needs-based budget. Ensure transparent and accountable government. Guarantee equitable distribution of resources to all 30 LGAs, with no favoritism.
Another significant factor that distinguishes Oyebamiji is the specificity of his commitment and his personal simplicity, which was even acknowledged by the Ataoja of Osogbo during his campaign visit to the palace. In his campaign, he identified the gaps in electricity in the state and promised to close them through the establishment of a 3.5-megawatt power plant to complement the existing one. It is possible—if Abia State can do it, Osun State can also do it, and even better.
If you notice how much emphasis he places on the equitable distribution of public resources, you will definitely agree with his vision. He said, "I promise not to concentrate projects in any particular town or display nepotism in governance. We will not deceive you like the present government that employed 80 percent of the indigenes of a particular town in the teaching services. I will never reduce the lights of a particular town or community and increase those of another. " Oyebamiji has promised to govern with an inclusive administration anchored on fairness, equity, transparency, and people-centered governance. "I have courted non-indigenes and other interest groups, pleading to integrate them into governance and involve residents in my policy formulation and implementation," he declared.
Many observers have noted that Oyebamiji's candidacy offers a refreshing departure from the celebrity-style politics that often dominates Osun elections. His campaign is not built on charisma alone but on a record of service, financial expertise, and a clear vision for structural transformation. His last role in public service, as the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), further expanded his administrative and geographic details beyond Osun, engaging with infrastructure development, regulatory oversight, and the diversification of the economy. This exposure places him within a broader governance framework that links local administration to national policy and global best practices.
Voting for Oyebamiji as the next governor of Osun State will surely redesign our state for better development and make the links between the state and the Federal Government more robust. It is a statement of fact that some states belonging to the government at the center do benefit from such relationships. Yes, it may be argued that it should not be so, but in reality and with past evidence, it does happen, only if you are not privy to it.
As voters prepare to vote in the August 15th governorship election, our choice is between the familiar spectacle of personality-driven politics and a governance-focused alternative anchored in experience, competence, and a coherent development agenda. Ambassador Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji no doubt embodies what discerning voters in Osun State believe governance should be about: service delivery with value for money in economical, efficient, and effective manners—not movie-style governance.
Hence, my message to voters is that our PVC is our power. Use it to vote Oyebamiji, and by God's grace, he will not disappoint us. In final words: voters of Osun State, do we choose spectacle or substance?
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