By Joshua Yousouph
The immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has questioned what he described as the lack of visible development in the state despite receiving between N16 billion and N17 billion in monthly federal allocations, pledging to implement a people-centred and inclusive style of governance if elected.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on Sunday, Oyebamiji said governance should be measured by its impact on the lives of citizens rather than political rhetoric, stressing that the welfare and security of the people would form the cornerstone of his administration.
“There is no position that is worth killing a soul. The welfare of the people and the security of the people are the main variables in my governance. Every other thing is complementary,” he said.
The former NIWA chief said his administration would be driven by extensive consultations with different segments of society to ensure that government policies respond to the unique needs of the people.
According to him, artisans, civil servants, traders and market women all face different challenges that require tailored interventions.
“The needs of artisans are different from those of civil servants and marketers. Good leadership starts by understanding these needs and addressing them. We need to listen to these categories of people and run an inclusive government,” he stated.
Oyebamiji also compared the current administration with previous APC-led governments in the state, arguing that the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola delivered impactful projects despite operating with fewer financial resources.
He maintained that Osun State has experienced a sharp rise in monthly federal allocations since the inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but questioned how the funds have been utilised.
“This state has been receiving between N16 billion and N17 billion monthly since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came on board. What has this administration been doing with the money?” he queried.
“You can go around the capital city in Osogbo and across the entire state and you’ll barely find projects to justify these funds. The current administration has even struggled to hold meetings for its executives,” he added.
The APC governorship candidate further stressed that transparency, accountability and collective decision-making are essential ingredients of effective governance.
Drawing from management principles, he said successful governments achieve better results by involving citizens in setting development priorities and ensuring broad participation in governance.
“In management, there is management by objectives, which means getting everyone involved. Running the government is for the people,” he said.
Oyebamiji pledged to prioritise security, citizens’ welfare, prudent management of public resources and inclusive development, expressing confidence that a government focused on the needs of the people would restore public trust and ensure that every public fund translates into tangible improvements in the lives of Osun residents.
