Nigeria: Osun Election - APC's Oyebamiji Downplays 'Federal Might', Vows to Banish Poverty

What the report says

Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, has rejected claims that the Federal Government may use its influence to help him win the state election scheduled for 15 August. According to Vanguard’s report distributed by AllAfrica, he made the remarks during an Arise Television town hall for governorship candidates ahead of the vote.

Oyebamiji used the forum to outline his priorities if elected, saying his administration would focus on security, reducing poverty and hunger, and improving welfare across Osun. He said he would direct more attention to agriculture, education and healthcare, and emphasized human capital development as a major part of his plan. He also framed his campaign as centered on the needs of the whole state rather than any particular area or group.

The candidate said his interactions with party members, community leaders, artisans, traders, lawyers and civil servants had convinced him that voters wanted a change of government. He also said he had toured all 30 local government areas in the state multiple times and had not encountered support for the allegation about “federal might.”

Oyebamiji further said his campaign had received endorsements from several groups across Osun, including some private and public-sector interests. The report places his comments in the context of a closely watched gubernatorial contest in which accusations of outside influence have become part of the political debate.