By Oluwaseun OWOJORI
With just six (6) days to the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, the political atmosphere is charged, the campaigns are reaching fever pitch, and the battle for the soul of the state has narrowed to a two-horse race between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO). But there is a disturbing silence from a critical segment of the electorate; the elites, the corporate executives, the career professionals, and the business owners whose voices and votes could very well determine the outcome of this election.
This commentary is a direct appeal to you: Do not leave the task of voting to politicians and civil servants alone. The future of Osun State is too important to be left to passive spectators.
The Candidates: A Testament to Competence
The APC ticket presents a formidable combination of private sector acumen and public service experience. Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji is not a career politician in the traditional sense; he is a banker, a technocrat, and a seasoned administrator. Until recently, he served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), where he recorded unprecedented progress. Prior to that, he served as Commissioner for Finance under Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola, and as Managing Director of Osun Investment Company Limited (now Omoluabi Holdings). He holds two master’s degrees and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
His running mate, Engr. Kayode Adereti, is a project management professional from Ile-Ife who has outlined an agenda focused on inclusive development, economic growth, and improved public service delivery. Together, they represent a ticket that understands the language of business, the discipline of fiscal management, and the imperative of measurable results.
Why Your Vote Matters More Than You Think
Osun State has over 2.3 million registered voters. Yet history shows a troubling trend: voter turnout has steadily declined from 54.17 per cent in 2014 to 42.37 per cent in 2022. Political scientists have identified voter apathy as one of the greatest threats to the credibility of this election. When elites, professionals, and business owners stay away from the polls, they leave the electoral outcome to be decided by a smaller, often less representative, segment of the population.
Consider this: in a state where elections are often decided by 2,000 to 5,000 votes per local government area, every single vote counts. Your vote is not just a civic duty; it is an investment in the economic environment in which your business operates, the infrastructure that supports your industry, and the governance framework that determines the prosperity of the state.
The Stakes Could Not Be Higher
Oyebamiji has campaigned on what he calls “My Pact With Osun People” — a seven-pillar development blueprint anchored on transparency, economic revitalisation, and social welfare. He has promised to create a new generation of millionaires through growth in agriculture, the digital economy, healthcare, roads, and education. He has pledged to generate 3.5 megawatts of electricity within four years to support businesses, artisans, and industrial growth. He has committed to interest-free loans and grants for traders and small business owners.
These are not vague political promises; they are concrete proposals from a man who has spent 12 years at the topmost levels of government, working directly with tough, credible managers. He understands that public funds must be managed responsibly and that every kobo must deliver value for the people.
Engr. Adereti has further promised to re-introduce and re-integrate a fresh workforce into the state civil service, strengthen the bureaucracy, and ensure that governance reflects the interests of all segments of society.
The Alternative: Complacency and Its Costs
There are those who will say, “My vote does not matter,” or “Politics is for the politicians.” This is precisely the kind of thinking that has allowed mediocrity to flourish in governance across Nigeria. The Osun Central Elite Caucus has already projected a shift in momentum toward Oyebamiji, citing growing dissatisfaction among segments of civil servants, traders, and small business owners. But projections are not votes. Momentum does not win elections; ballots do.
If you are a business owner, ask yourself: What kind of governor would you rather deal with ;one who understands the private sector, or one who does not? If you are a professional, ask yourself: Do you want a government led by a fellow professional with a track record of performance, or one led by political novices learning on the job?
A Direct Appeal
To the corporate executives reading this: your companies have a stake in the stability and prosperity of Osun State. To the business owners: the policies of the next administration will affect your bottom line. To the career professionals: the quality of governance determines the quality of public services, infrastructure, and the overall business environment in which you operate.
Do not leave this fight to the politicians and civil servants alone. They have done their part; they have mobilised, campaigned, and presented a vision. Now it is your turn.
Go out on August 15. Take your Permanent Voter Cards. Vote for competence. Vote for experience. Vote for the All Progressives Congress and the ticket of Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji and Engr. Kayode Adereti.
Osun State deserves better value for its resources. Osun State deserves a business-minded governor. Osun State deserves a government that will block leakages, expand revenue, and create opportunities for all.
The future of Osun is in your hands. Use your vote wisely.
Oluwaseun OWOJORI serves as the Director-General of Osun Economic and Governance Summit Group. He lives in Osogbo and hailed from Àwiwa-Okerewe Compound, Ile Ife, Osun State.