Osun State Governorship election since 2014 has been strategic for several reasons. Firstly, it is the last staggered Governorship election before the General Election, hence a viable ground for National political figures to test permutations for the Presidential Election. Secondly, the political sophistication of the average Osun indigene, and the multi-dialect population of the State, makes the Osun Governorship election fiercer than most Governorship elections in Nigeria.

At every election cycle, however, and despite all the political horse-trading and calculations, Osun is still unable to answer the critical questions of good governance and all-encompassing Leadership that has cropped up every election cycle.

Arguably, the only Governor who has come close to answering the questions of governance and leadership in Osun State was Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who served from 2003 to 2010. But, what are these questions? There are three major ones, and a few minor ones that emerged later. The major ones are:

  • How will Osun achieve good governance that quenches the perennial religious agitations for government positions?
  • How will Osun achieve the kind of leadership that delivers all-encompassing development without tribal sentiments?
  • How will Osun achieve good governance that can efficiently manage her lean resources, yet grow the State’s economy?

Osun State’s multi-faith and multi-ethnic composition has demanded a kind of governance that can satisfy all religious and ethnic groups, with specific attention to each group’s unique needs. Sadly, the State has had successive Governors who failed at answering the questions efficiently.

There are also minor questions that emerged around 2018. These are:

  • How will Osun achieve prudent governance that will manage its scarce resources, efficiently handle its debts, yet boost the State’s economy and develop it?
  • Who can effectively lead Osun’s political sophistication and the multifarious tendencies within it?
  • How will Osun get a Leader who has so much to lose if they underperform? A leader with so much track record that they consider Osun’s development a matter of personal concern?

Aside from the questions above, some new questions are emerging within the political space, including finding a leader who will efficiently utilize the improvement in funding to the State, through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, to develop critical areas of the State.

The present Governor of the State, Ademola Adeleke, has complicated the questions more than he has answered them. His personality is shrouded in complications, and his religious identity is deliberately wrapped in mischievous confusion. His professional/career record is non-existent, while his academic credentials remain questionable. His development policies are also lopsided, with his hometown, Ede, getting all the huge projects, while other towns and Local Governments salivate endlessly.

In his almost three years as Governor, the questions of excellent leadership and true development continue to linger. Answering these questions becomes increasingly important, as President Tinubu continues to look out for Leaders who deeply understand the Renewed Hope ideology and can replicate it in the respective States.

I have perused the credentials of all the aspirants who have come out to express interest in the Governorship race and can say with conviction that Dotun Babayemi, a Prince of Gbongan, towers above all others. I concede that most of the aspirants, except Ademola Adeleke, have excellent credentials, but in answering the critical questions of development, Dotun Babayemi is incomparable to the others.

The contributions of his father, a past King of Gbongan, to the creation of Osun State connect him emotionally to the State’s development. His Royal background connects him effortlessly to the traditional institution. His excellent academic credentials as a Lawyer and Business Administrator distinguish him as a Leader with multiple insights. His professional and business accomplishments also stand him out as an accomplished technocrat who can bring his wealth of experience to bear in his approach to governance.

What is more? Dotun Babayemi is known across many divides as an accessible Politician who is always willing to not just listen, but also productively engage in actions that move the State and her people forward. Across multiple communication channels, he has remained accessible to every strata of society, constantly learning from them, and tuning his plans and programmes to their specific needs.

It is also interesting to note that the same Dotun Babayemi is the only gubernatorial aspirant in Osun State today who has visited all the Wards in the State and looks willing to visit and interact with people of those 332 wards over and over again. His strength across the grassroots remains rooted in his open communication and interaction with the people.

If the Osun question remains that of efficient, equitable, all-encompassing, and properly aligned development, then Dotun Babayemi is the answer that Osun desperately needs. This reality is within grasp, and it starts from the APC making the right choices. In endorsing Dotun, Osun APC will also be satisfying the yearnings of Osun West Senatorial District for the Party’s Governorship ticket.

Tunde Aderin writes from Apomu in Isokan Local Government.