By Tokunbo2
Copyright thesun
From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has lamented the level of degradation in the state as observed during his tour to 200 wards.
Babayemi who started ward-to-ward tour after visiting the 30 local governments to get acquainted with the needs of the people, explained that his desire to be the next governor of the state stemmed from his vision to strategically transform it from where it is currently, to become a reference point in the country in the near future.
After reaching 200 out of the 332 wards in the state, Babayemi assured that transforming the state would become achievable through focused governance and purposeful leadership.
Speaking at Ward 3, Olufi and Ward 2, Otun Balogun, his own ward, in Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government, where he reached the 200th ward, Babayemi lamented that 34 years after its creation, the state had not made significant advancement even with the abundance of human and material resources as envisioned by its founding fathers and other proponents.
He said, “At the risk of sounding off, I dare say where others promise, I bring execution. Where politics divides, I unite. I offer the competence, integrity, and inclusiveness required to deliver real progress. With grassroots trust and global perspective, I am best positioned to win for our party and govern effectively for our people if given the opportunity.
“Today, Osun State stands at a crossroads: Rich in human talent, culture, and natural resources, yet burdened by unemployment, weak infrastructure, and untapped opportunities. These reasons and the calls from our good people in and outside the state, have propelled me to join the race in order to become the Osun State Governor in 2026.
“More importantly, this is to enable us chart a new direction; one that secures prosperity for every family, empowers our youth, and restores trust in governance,” Babayemi said.
He called for the forging of a common front to ensure that the APC is brought back to power in the state by 2026, saying “Osun cannot afford another cycle of missed opportunities. With people valued support, we can deliver a state where every child can dream, every youth can achieve, and every family can thrive.”
Babayemi assured that with human and natural endowments the state was blessed with, they would be harnessed to ensure that the state becomes a support base for other states, especially those in southwest of the country.
“In this regard, if given the opportunity to lead the state, our major task which is doable, will be to transform it into a powerhouse of the Southwest — a state where jobs are abundant, schools are modern, healthcare is reliable, and our cultural heritage drives both pride and prosperity,” he assured.
Babayemi who also explained that the ward-to-ward tour has helped in exposing people’s needs and challenges, said “The reason behind us going out is to be able to understand the challenges in the state across board; urban areas and rural areas.
“This is so that when we put our manifesto together, it will address the issues that will actually move the state forward, not just for this generation but the generations to come.
“And I can say without any shadow of doubt, that we know what the issues are across every nook and cranny of the state. And that has positioned us to be able to address these areas when we get into governance,” Babayemi said.