The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Mr Adebayo Adewale, has called on political stakeholders to embrace people-centred governance and reject violence as political activities intensify across the state.
Adewale made the call during an interview with journalists in Osogbo on Thursday amid growing political tensions and reported clashes involving supporters of major political parties.
He stressed that no political ambition should come at the expense of human lives, warning against turning Osun into a battleground for political supremacy.
According to him, politics should remain a platform for service and development rather than conflict and hostility.
“The state belongs to all of us. Our young people must not become victims of political rivalry, and families should not be thrown into mourning because politicians are competing for power,” he said.
Adewale maintained that elections should focus on ideas, policies, and programmes capable of improving the welfare of citizens rather than acts of intimidation and violence.
“Elections should be contests of ideas and programmes, not contests of violence,” he added.
The APM candidate also described the endorsement of his candidacy by former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade, and former South-West Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tajudeen Oladipo, as an indication that many residents are seeking a new political direction for the state.
Outlining his agenda, Adewale pledged to strengthen local government autonomy, promote transparency and accountability in governance, encourage investment, create employment opportunities for youths and women, modernise agriculture, and expand the digital economy.
He said sustainable development could only be achieved through peaceful political engagement and policies focused on economic growth and social progress.
“Our future cannot be built on bitterness, violence and endless political warfare. It must be built on peace, productivity, innovation, investment, quality education, food security and opportunities for every citizen,” he said.
Adewale further stated that the time had come to move away from politics driven by power struggles and focus on governance that delivers meaningful benefits to the people.
Reiterating his campaign slogan, ‘One Osun, Productive People, Shared Prosperity,’ the APM governorship candidate said his administration would prioritise inclusive growth and shared development across the state if elected.