AAC Blasts Oyebamiji, Adeleke, Salam For Allegedly Boycotting Osun Governorship Debate

The African Action Congress (AAC) in Osun State has criticised the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord Party and African Democratic Congress (ADC) for boycotting the governorship debate organised by media organisations, saying their absence showed a lack of willingness to face public scrutiny.

The debate, scheduled for Saturday in Osogbo, was called off after the organisers cited security concerns and the reluctance of some leading candidates to participate.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the AAC governorship candidate, Olajide Esan, described a governorship debate as a vital democratic platform where candidates present their vision, defend their policies and answer questions from journalists and voters.

Esan said the decision of the candidates to stay away raised questions about their preparedness for leadership.

“Their absence speaks volumes. It suggests they lack the courage, competence and preparedness required to govern Osun State. A candidate who cannot face the media and the electorate to explain his agenda cannot be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the state,” he said.

He argued that leadership requires accountability, transparency and the confidence to defend policies before the people, adding that avoiding a debate amounts to an admission of unpreparedness.

Esan urged voters not to entrust the state’s future to candidates who refused to engage with the electorate, insisting that the AAC remained the credible alternative for the Aug. 15 governorship election.

He called on residents to reject what he described as the politics of avoidance and support a future built on competence, transparency and accountability.