Osun Guber: Matters Arising -By Segun Orija

The upcoming August 15, 2026, governorship election in Osun State is not just another routine change of leaders, it is a major test for the state’s future. Elections in our state are rarely just about party logos; they are a deep agreement between the people and the government on how things should be run. As voters prepare to head to the polls, the main issue is clear: Osun has reached a historic crossroads where proper governance, economic growth, and careful spending must finally beat showmanship and empty promises.

To understand how heavy this choice is, we must look at the structural problems that have troubled Osun since it was created in 1991. For over thirty years, the state has faced a major contradiction: we have a highly educated and politically smart population, yet our economy relies completely on the unpredictable monthly money shared by the Federal Government (FAAC).

Past governments have failed to unlock our hidden wealth – the vast, unused riches tied up in Osun’s rich farmlands, real estate, and cultural heritage. Instead of turning these local resources into real business wealth to build an independent economy, the state has simply moved from one temporary money experiment to another.

Adding to this problem is a regular lack of planning for the future. Osun has never had a solid plan for smooth handovers in its government offices. Because of this, good, long-term development plans are usually thrown away whenever power changes hands, wasting years of valuable government experience just for quick political gains.

However, while past leaders struggled with these basic gaps, the current government is the worst we have ever seen in Osun’s executive history. Today, the state is suffering under a leadership style that cares only about appearances rather than real work. We are seeing a dangerous shift where superficial dancing and displays have replaced clear financial and development plans. Real substance has been traded for pure showmanship, and proper state management has been pushed aside for political favors. Real jobs for local contractors have dried up, civil servants are discouraged by messy directives, and important economic projects have been abandoned for short-term handouts. Osun cannot afford another term of this backward movement without going completely broke.

Take it or leave it, the current government’s desperate cry for “continuity” makes no sense. You cannot ask to continue something that is completely empty. Real continuity does not mean keeping a show-off government in power; it means protecting good policies and moving them forward. By trading real work for cheap showmanship, the current administration has broken Osun’s chain of development. It is exactly this broken chain that Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) is ready to fix.

Against this background of decline, Oyebamiji’s choice stands out as a necessary alternative. AMBO is not entering this race as a typical politician looking for a job. He comes in as an experienced financial expert and corporate leader whose professional skills are perfectly suited to repair Osun’s broken foundations.

Oyebamiji’s track record is open for everyone to see. His experience as a two-time former Commissioner for Finance gave him a deep understanding of Osun’s exact financial situation. During hard economic times, he was the money manager who kept the state running through creative asset handling and strict budget control. Furthermore, his excellent work as the Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) proved he can run major organizations at the federal level, turning national policies into real growth. Yet, beyond these well-known achievements lie his hidden strengths – unique abilities that have not been written about much, but are highly valuable for Osun’s future.

First, Oyebamiji acts as a bridge between generations. Right now, the gap between the older political class and our modern, tech-minded youth is growing; but he brings them together. He understands that today’s Osun youth do not want political handouts or token gifts; they need an environment where they can learn coding, run digital businesses, and build tech companies. His corporate background allows him to speak the language of innovation while still respecting the values of the elders.

Second, AMBO works as a peaceful reformer. Many politicians try to make changes by completely tearing down existing setups, which creates bad blood with civil servants and traditional leaders. Oyebamiji’s deep experience ensures he can make internal changes smoothly. He has the rare ability to improve civil service work, fix tax collection, and modernize land registries without angering the workers or upsetting our respected traditional rulers.

Third, Oyebamiji is a trust builder for investors. Having spent decades in top positions in commercial banking – including roles at Wema Bank, Trans International Bank, and Enterprise Bank – he knows exactly how private investment works. International development agencies and private investors stay away from unpredictable, showy governments. His professional background instantly makes Osun State look safe, presenting it to local and international markets as a stable and predictable place for long-term business investments. As a chief architect of Osun’s past financial plans, his candidacy offers the state a return to productive continuity – a smooth transition where structural reforms, asset development, and the dignity of the civil service are restored without shocking the system.

Yet, having the best candidate is only half the battle. Internal fighting within the progressive camp is the only thing that can help an otherwise incompetent opposition win. Thinkers have long warned that a leading political group can lose its power not because the opposition is better, but because the leading group breaks apart from within. The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Oyebamiji must watch this warning closely. The biggest threat to a clear victory on August 15 is not the performance of the current government, which has already failed on every measurable level, but the danger of internal quarrels.

Any leftover anger from the primaries, separate group structures, or relaxation within the progressive family will hurt APC’s ability to get voters out. To this end, the candidate must actively lead a total and unconditional reconciliation across all camps. Unity must not be treated as a favour, but as a strict operational duty. Every group, stakeholder and grassroots campaigner within the progressive fold must be brought into a single, united front.

Lastly on this, the good people of Osun State can be sure that an Oyebamiji-led government is fully capable of moving the state quickly away from wasteful, handout politics towards an era of productive, real economics. His administration will bring financial discipline, using modern management methods to turn the state’s hidden wealth into active funds without forcing heavy taxes on everyday citizens. AMBO is ready to rebuild the civil service by bringing back proper training and clear career growth. At the same time, he will upgrade the state’s schools to mix basic mother-tongue teaching with future-ready technical skills.

On August 15, the choice before voters is simple: continue down the road of government decline and cheap shows, or reclaim a path of honour, substance and real growth. An APC victory under Oyebamiji’s capable leadership is the sure way to unlock the true power of Osun State and bring respect back to public service.

▪Orija, a political scientist, lives in Ibokun, Osun State.