Oyebamiji’s Campaign of Empty Promises Cannot Erase APC’s Record in Osun – TICC
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has faulted the campaign promises made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, saying they cannot erase what it described as the APC’s record of poor governance and unfulfilled promises during its years in office.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council said while every governorship candidate has the constitutional right to present programmes and policies to the electorate, Osun residents are more interested in proven performance than campaign rhetoric.
The statement followed Oyebamiji’s campaign flag-off in Ile-Ife, where he promised equitable development, improved road infrastructure, better healthcare, quality education, modern markets, agricultural development and improved welfare for civil servants if elected governor.
Reacting, the council said the APC’s campaign promises amounted to an admission that the party failed to address critical developmental challenges when it controlled the affairs of the state.
“It is rather ironic that those who had the opportunity to govern Osun under the APC for years are now campaigning on projects they failed to deliver when they were in power. The promises being made today are, in many respects, an admission that the previous APC administration left critical sectors requiring urgent intervention,” the statement read.
According to the council, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has focused on delivering measurable projects and programmes across key sectors rather than making what it described as empty political promises.
It stated that under the current administration, more than 24,000 pensioners and over 10,000 persons living with disabilities have been enrolled in the Osun Health Insurance Scheme. It also said outstanding hazard allowance owed to health workers by the previous administration had been paid, while more than 200 Primary Healthcare Centres had been rehabilitated across the state.
The council added that the Adeleke administration had disbursed over ₦2 billion to cooperative societies and small business owners, while more than 15,000 businesses received grants of ₦250,000 each to support their operations.
It further claimed that the state government reduced Osun’s domestic debt from ₦148 billion to ₦83 billion, recruited more than 2,000 teachers, constructed over 300 classrooms, and provided financial support to over 8,000 farmers, with some beneficiaries receiving grants of up to ₦8 million.
The campaign council also accused the previous APC administration of neglecting workers’ welfare, pensioners and public infrastructure.
“It is therefore nothing but a mere voter’s drive for Oyebamiji to be promising Osun people the same thing his party failed to do in the past. Osun people, particularly workers and pensioners, cannot forget in a hurry the deluge of unfulfilled promises associated with the APC in the past,” the statement said.
The council questioned why the APC was now promising to rehabilitate roads, renovate schools, improve healthcare services and support farmers when it allegedly failed to implement similar programmes while it was in government.
“Campaign promises must be measured against historical performance. Osun voters cannot be expected to ignore yesterday’s record simply because it has been repackaged into today’s manifesto,” Olajengbesi stated.
The council also referenced ongoing infrastructure projects in Ile-Ife, including the flyover and dual carriageway, describing them as visible evidence of Governor Adeleke’s commitment to equitable development across the state.
While accusing the APC of relying on political rhetoric, the council urged the opposition party to account for its stewardship before seeking another mandate from the electorate.
It also called on all political parties and their supporters to sustain issue-based campaigns and avoid actions capable of heating up the polity ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The statement noted that Governor Adeleke, through his representative, participated in the recently held Peace and Accountability Charter, reaffirming his commitment to peaceful, credible and issue-driven campaigns.
“As the August 15 governorship election approaches, the choice before the people is clear: a government with a demonstrable record of delivering projects and putting the welfare of the people first, or a party asking for another opportunity based largely on promises after years in office,” the statement added.
The Imole Campaign Council expressed confidence that Osun voters would support the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke, citing what it described as his administration’s record of performance, inclusive governance and commitment to the welfare of residents.