APC Chieftain, Oduoye Canvasses Votes For AMBO, Says Osun Needs Competent Leadership To Achieve Its Potential

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Kayode Oduoye, has said the state requires competent, visionary and people-oriented leadership to unlock its vast development potential and deliver sustainable socioeconomic growth.

Oduoye made the assertion while featuring on Issues That Matter, a current affairs programme on City Mirror TV, Osogbo, where he assessed the state of governance in Osun and outlined the APC’s vision ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He maintained that Osun is richly endowed with human and natural resources but has yet to fully maximise them due to what he described as a deficit in effective leadership.

According to him, the state needs a government with the capacity to plan strategically, manage resources prudently and implement policies capable of improving the living standards of 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,” he 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 required to reposition the state.

Speaking on Oyebamiji’s manifesto, Oduoye said the policy document was the product of extensive consultations with stakeholders across different sectors, adding that it reflects the aspirations and developmental needs of the people of Osun State.

He explained that an APC-led administration would prioritise investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce, enterprise, housing and human capital development to stimulate economic growth and improve residents’ welfare.

On education, Oduoye said the party would focus on improving learning outcomes through increased investment in teachers’ capacity development, strengthening basic education and expanding technical and vocational education to equip young people with employable skills.

Commenting on recent economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government, he defended the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as a difficult but necessary decision aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy for long-term stability and growth.

While acknowledging the economic hardship currently being experienced by many Nigerians, he expressed optimism that the reforms would produce positive results if consistently implemented.

On the proposed increase in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fee, Oduoye noted that the proposal was suspended following public criticism, describing the government’s decision as a demonstration of its responsiveness to citizens’ concerns.

“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 shun all forms of violence.

He urged parents to discourage their children from being used as political thugs, stressing that preserving peace before, during and after the election remains 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.

The APC chieftain also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible election, while expressing confidence that security agencies would provide 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 rests on the decisions its people make at the polls.