Osun needs CEO, not an entertainer — Tinubu’s aide

Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has expressed his confidence in Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Osun State. This confidence stems from Oyebamiji's strong performance during a recent town hall meeting where he outlined his plans to transform the state in various developmental areas.

Oyebamiji emphasized his understanding of the job, which is to manage a financially constrained public enterprise, as opposed to being an entertainer or a political performer. Ajayi noted that Oyebamiji's experience as a former Commissioner for Finance under previous administrations demonstrated his ability to manage public finances effectively.

He also highlighted Oyebamiji's stewardship of Osun State Investment Holdings, where he managed to turn around the organization and build a substantial real estate portfolio in Lagos and Abuja. In contrast to Oyebamiji, incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke, running on the platform of the Accord Party, spent much of the meeting attacking former governors instead of discussing his own record.

Ajayi criticized Adeleke for focusing on political attacks rather than presenting a convincing account of his stewardship. He also pointed out that Salam, another candidate, made ambitious promises but lacked a clear funding plan. Ajayi advocated for voters to vote based on policy articulation, command of facts, fiscal realism, and evidence of managerial competence, rather than on personalities or attacks on predecessors.