Frontline candidates in Saturday’s Osun governorship election have expressed confidence in their chances of winning while outlining their plans for the state if elected.
The candidates spoke separately on Tuesday at the Arise Townhall Meeting in Osogbo, where Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Salaam, and African Action Congress (AAC) candidate, Olajide Esan, presented their positions on major issues affecting the state.
Adeleke: I’m a bulldozer.
Governor Adeleke said he was not intimidated by the support of the Federal Government and some APC governors for Oyebamiji.
Describing himself as a “bulldozer,” Adeleke said he was prepared to face what he called federal influence in the election.
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“I am a bulldozer. I talk and do. I am not afraid of federal might and governors backing the APC candidate. If they like, they should bring all the governors,” he said.
He described the governors backing his opponent as his friends, insisting that their presence would not determine the outcome of the election.
Adeleke said his administration had constructed about 350 kilometers of roads, with another 160 kilometers under construction.
He also cited interventions in healthcare, saying about 200 health centers had been rehabilitated and equipped with facilities including beds and solar lighting.
On agriculture, the governor said his administration had procured 31 tractors and distributed seedlings and other inputs to farmers.
Adeleke dismissed criticism of his public dancing, saying it had no effect on his performance in office.
“I am a very prudent person and a very serious person. Nobody will stop me from dancing. As I am dancing, I am working. Dancing is a hobby that doesn’t disturb or affect my work,” he said.
He also said more than 1,500 personnel had been recruited and trained for the Amotekun security outfit.
The governor urged voters to remain peaceful, protect their votes, and ensure they were counted.
“I am always preaching free and fair elections because I know what is called democracy. It is the people. It is the Osun people that will decide,” he said.
Asked whether he would congratulate his opponent if he lost, Adeleke said he was certain of victory.
“Forget about it. I’m not going to lose this election because I’m so confident,” he said.
Oyebamiji Promises to Tackle Poverty
The APC candidate, Oyebamiji, dismissed allegations that the Federal Government intended to use its influence to secure his victory.
He said his administration would focus on the welfare of residents across the state, irrespective of their location.
“Governance is about people; it’s not about segments. It’s not about an area. It’s not about a city. It is not about a town. It’s the entirety of the state,” he said.
Oyebamiji promised to prioritize security and tackle hunger and poverty through investments in agriculture, education, and healthcare.
“We want to banish hunger and poverty. I want to invest seriously in agriculture, education, and health,” he said.
He said his campaign across the state had convinced him that residents were ready for a change of government.
Oyebamiji said he had visited all 30 local government areas three times and had consulted party members, community leaders, artisans, lawyers, traders, and civil servants.
“I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that our people in Osun are ready for a change. I’m coming here as the incoming governor of Osun, come August 15, 2026,” he said.
Oyebamiji Challenges Adeleke Over Finances
Oyebamiji challenged Adeleke to explain how his administration had spent about N650 billion in federal allocations received since taking office.
He also disputed claims about the financial position inherited by the Adeleke administration, saying former Governor Gboyega Oyetola left about N15 billion for his successor.
Oyebamiji said Osun received about N450 billion during the 12 years of APC administrations under former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Oyetola, compared with the N650 billion he said the state received during Adeleke’s three-and-a-half years in office.
He questioned the impact of the funds on the state, arguing that the resources did not correspond with what residents were seeing on the ground.
Salaam Promises Peace, Development
The ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, said his experience in governance, academic background, and involvement in agriculture prepared him for the governorship.
Salaam said he would build on the achievements of previous administrations while addressing gaps in governance.
“I’m contesting to build on achievements of past governments that did it well and to correct the challenges that we have today,” he said.
He promised a people-centered government and said accountability would remain central to his administration.
Salaam also made security a major part of his campaign, saying residents were tired of political violence and thuggery.
“Osun people do not want thuggery again because they see us as the most peaceful party. They also know the only candidate that can bring peace is Najeem Salaam and the only party that can bring peace is the ADC,” he said.
He said his 10-point agenda was based on policies he considered realistic and achievable.
Esan Promises Transparent Government
The AAC candidate, Olajide Esan, said his priority would be to return governance to the people.
Esan accused political leaders of exploiting poverty and other challenges confronting residents and promised to change the approach to governance if elected.
“Going into my vision, what is important to me is to give governance back to the people, because instead of leaders serving the people in Nigeria, especially in Osun State, it is the people who are serving the leaders,” he said.
He proposed the establishment of an Osun Residents Database to provide the government with accurate information for planning and service delivery.
Esan also proposed a financial dashboard through which residents could monitor government spending.
“The financial dashboard will give Osun people the opportunity to monitor and to track government spending so that if one error happens, they can call me, ‘Youth governor, where is our one naira?'” he said.
He argued that greater transparency and accountability would make it harder for politicians to treat public office as a business venture.
The candidates’ positions came as campaigns for the Osun governorship election entered their final stage, with the contenders seeking to persuade voters ahead of Saturday’s poll.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.