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

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has expressed his backing for Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress candidate vying for the governorship seat in Osun State. This follows a town hall meeting organized by Arise TV where the candidates were present. Oyebamiji is pitted against Najeem Salam of the African Democratic Congress and incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke, who is running again under the Accord Party.

The vote will take place on August 15, 2026. In the meeting, Oyebamiji made a stronger case for his candidacy, stating that he understands the role of a chief executive in managing a financially strained public entity like Osun State. On policy articulation, fiscal responsibility, and managerial competence, Ajayi claimed Oyebamiji was ahead of the other contestants.

Oyebamiji, a former Commissioner for Finance under previous administrations, presented himself as a proven financial manager. His tenure as Commissioner of Finance and as the financial manager for Osun State Investment Holdings, where he reportedly turned around the organization and built a substantial real estate portfolio, were highlighted.

In contrast, Adeleke focused on criticizing former governors and appeared combative during the town hall. Ajayi also criticized Salam's promises, stating that they lacked a clear funding plan. He emphasized that a governorship election should be about an audit of the candidates' records, plans, and managerial capacity, rather than a popularity contest.