By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC, in Osun State, Hon. Kayode Oduoye, has said the state needs competent, visionary and people-oriented leadership to unlock its development potential and drive sustainable socioeconomic growth.
Oduoye made the remarks while appearing on Issues That Matter, a current affairs programme on City Mirror TV, Osogbo, where he assessed governance in the state and outlined the APC’s agenda ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
According to him, Osun possesses abundant human and natural resources but has yet to fully harness them due to what he described as ineffective leadership.
He argued that the state requires a government capable of strategic planning, prudent resource management and implementing policies that will improve the quality of life for residents.
“Osun has enormous potential to become one of the leading states in Nigeria. What we need is competent leadership that can harness our resources effectively and translate them into meaningful development for the people,” Oduoye said.
The APC stalwart expressed confidence in the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), describing him as a leader with the administrative experience, intellectual capacity and compassion needed to reposition the state.
Speaking on Oyebamiji’s manifesto, Oduoye said the policy document emerged from extensive consultations with stakeholders across various sectors and reflects the aspirations and developmental priorities of the people of Osun State.
He stated that an APC-led administration would focus on education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce, enterprise, housing and human capital development as key drivers of economic growth and improved welfare.
On education, he said the party intends to improve learning outcomes by investing in teachers’ capacity development, strengthening basic education and expanding technical and vocational education to equip young people with employable skills.
Oduoye also defended the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as a difficult but necessary reform aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy for long-term stability and growth.
While acknowledging the current economic hardship facing many Nigerians, he expressed optimism that the reforms would yield positive results if sustained.
Commenting on the proposed increase in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fee, he noted that the proposal was suspended following public outcry, describing the government’s decision as evidence of its willingness to listen to citizens.
“The government listened to the people and reviewed the proposal. That shows a willingness to engage with public opinion and make necessary adjustments where required,” he said.
Ahead of the August 15 governorship election, Oduoye appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid all forms of violence.
He urged parents to discourage their children from being used as political thugs, stressing that maintaining peace before, during and after the election is a collective responsibility.
“Political violence has no place in our democracy. Osun belongs to all of us, and we must work together to protect the peace and stability of our state,” he added.
Oduoye also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible election and expressed confidence that security agencies would ensure adequate security throughout the electoral process.
He further urged eligible voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully, saying the future of Osun State depends on the choices its people make at the polls.