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The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has declared that no political ambition or public office is worth the loss of a single life, stressing that the protection of lives and the welfare of citizens must remain the primary responsibility of any government.
Speaking during an interactive session with the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria on Sunday, Oyebamiji said governance should be measured not by political rhetoric but by how effectively it improves the lives of ordinary people, while questioning what he described as the absence of visible development despite the state’s significantly improved monthly revenue allocation.
His words: “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.”
The APC standard bearer said his administration, if elected, would pursue an inclusive style of governance anchored on listening to citizens and responding to their specific needs rather than imposing policies from the top.
According to him, different segments of society including artisans, civil servants, traders and market women face unique challenges that require tailored government 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 said.
Oyebamiji also contrasted the current administration with previous APC-led governments in the state, maintaining that the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola delivered impactful projects despite operating with fewer financial resources.
He argued that Osun State has witnessed a substantial increase in monthly federal allocations since the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yet residents have little to show for the inflows.
“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 asked.
“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.”
The APC candidate said effective governance requires broad participation, transparency and accountability, noting that government exists to serve the people rather than political interests.
Drawing from management principles, Oyebamiji said successful administrations embrace collective decision-making and shared ownership of development goals.
“In management, there is management by objectives, which means getting everyone involved. Running the government is for the people,” he added.
He pledged to prioritise security, citizen welfare, prudent management of public resources and people-centred development, insisting that restoring public confidence in governance would require leaders who place human lives above politics and ensure that every public fund translates into visible improvements in the lives of Osun residents.
