Osun Needs CEO, Not Entertainer –  Tinubu’s Aide

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has backed the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, describing him as the candidate best suited to manage the state’s finances and economy.

Ajayi made the assessment following a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the August 15, 2026, Osun governorship election.

Oyebamiji is contesting against the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salam, among others.

In a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, Ajayi said Oyebamiji demonstrated a stronger understanding of governance, fiscal management and public administration during the town hall.

He said, “The state is not recruiting an entertainer, a professional campaigner or a permanent opposition politician. It is recruiting a chief executive to manage a financially constrained public enterprise called Osun State.”

According to Ajayi, Oyebamiji distinguished himself through his experience as a former banker and Commissioner for Finance under the administrations of former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.

He said the APC candidate spoke extensively about his experience managing public finances and his role at Osun State Investment Holdings, where he claimed to have helped turn around the organisation and build a substantial real estate portfolio in Lagos and Abuja.

Ajayi also highlighted Oyebamiji’s claim that the Oyetola administration met its financial obligations without fresh borrowing and left about N16bn in the state treasury before handing over to the succeeding administration.

The presidential aide said the governorship election should be based on candidates’ records, policies and managerial competence rather than popularity.

He, however, criticised Adeleke’s performance at the town hall, saying the governor spent considerable time attacking former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Oyetola instead of focusing on the achievements of his administration.

“Political attacks may excite loyalists, but they are not substitutes for a convincing account of stewardship,” Ajayi said.

Ajayi also faulted Salam’s campaign promises, arguing that his proposed free services and expansive government interventions lacked sufficient explanation of how they would be funded.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.