Osun 2026: AMBO’ll Prioritise Agriculture, Economic Growth — K-RAD

The Osun Central Senatorial Candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr. Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN), popularly known as K-RAD, Friday, said agriculture would be one of the major priorities of APC-led government in Osun State if the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), emerges victorious in the forthcoming election.

Adegoke stated this while speaking at the “Guest Platform” held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Osogbo, where he canvassed support for the APC candidate and expressed confidence in the party’s chances at the poll.

According to him, there is a need for governors to make deliberate investments in agriculture, noting that many fertile lands across the country remain underutilised despite their economic potential.

“Yes, there is the need for governors to make the necessary investments in agriculture. Our lands are so fertile that the majority of them do not require additional fertility to make them productive,” he said.

The senior lawyer explained that state governments must create policies that encourage partnerships between land-owning families and private investors to maximise agricultural production and economic growth.

“There are investors who want to invest in agriculture but do not have access to land. The cost of acquiring land, running into millions and hundreds of millions of naira, is a deterrent to the agricultural development that we actually need,” he added.

Adegoke urged governments to facilitate synergy between investors and landowners by helping families properly identify and document their lands through affordable surveys and free certificates of occupancy.

He noted that many families lack proper title documents to their lands, making it difficult for them to access loans or effectively utilise their properties for economic development.

“When lands are properly surveyed and given certificates of occupancy, it gives identity to the land and empowers the families economically. Land without title documents cannot be effectively used to generate wealth,” he said.

The APC chieftain also discouraged outright sale of ancestral lands, saying land ownership in Africa should remain a generational inheritance preserved for future generations.

He proposed a tripartite arrangement involving governments, investors and families, where investors would utilise the land for farming while landowners retain ownership and receive agreed benefits from proceeds generated on the land.

“The families will continue to own the land while investors use it productively. Every planting season, part of the income generated will go to the families and another portion to the government. This way, everybody benefits,” he explained.

Adegoke further stated that such agricultural investments would create jobs for residents, improve internally generated revenue and reduce criminal activities in abandoned government farm settlements.

He cited the need to revive abandoned agricultural assets in Osun State, including old government farms, which he said have become hideouts for criminals.

“When we reawaken these economic facilities left behind by Obafemi Awolowo, we will generate more income for the state and improve the welfare of workers, students, artisans and other residents,” he said.

Speaking on reported disagreements within the APC, Adegoke dismissed concerns over resignations and internal frictions, insisting that the party remained united ahead of the governorship election.

“In every political party, disagreements are normal. The people expressing grievances are our members and brothers, and discussions are ongoing to address their concerns,” he said.

He maintained that the APC remained intact and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the election.