The Governorship Candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Hon. Kunle Olatunji KTJ, has described as a waste of valuable time the engagement with what he described as the largely superficial and populist policy propositions being advanced by some of the political gladiators and governorship candidates contesting the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.
Olatunji, while reacting to some of the recent policy pronouncements by political actors in the state, said that the quality of some of the proposals being presented to the people suggests either a lack of adequate understanding of the complexities of governance or an inability to develop strategic and sustainable solutions to critical developmental challenges.
According to him, listening to and analysing the policy propositions of several candidates, particularly those from the political parties popularly regarded as the major or leading political gladiators, leaves much to be desired.
He noted that political actors should not underestimate the intelligence, discernment and analytical capacity of the electorate, particularly in an era when citizens are increasingly demanding accountability, competence, empathy and measurable results from those seeking their mandate.
“The people of Oyo State have endured considerable hardship arising from misplaced priorities, unfulfilled promises, lack of direction and, in some instances, the absence of visionary and strategic leadership. They are therefore yearning for quality leadership and excellent governance as we approach the 2027 elections.”
Olatunji stressed that the Oyo electorate is sufficiently discerning to interrogate political promises and distinguish between genuine solutions and populist propositions, irrespective of the political party, structure or perceived financial capacity of the candidates.
He said it would therefore be a mistake for any political gladiator to assume that the electorate would simply accept every policy proposition placed before them without subjecting such proposals to critical analysis.
The ADP candidate specifically cited reports that a leading governorship aspirant had proposed reverting the setback requirement along the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor from the existing 500 metres to 75 metres as a solution to the controversy surrounding the project.
While acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue and the legitimate concerns of affected residents, landowners and property owners, Olatunji argued that the solution should go beyond a mere reduction of the setback requirement.
“I would have expected a much more robust and comprehensive approach involving a review of the existing land-use policy, a thorough evaluation of the critical issues involved and the development of a properly redesigned urban development and renewal programme.”
He maintained that such an approach should adequately accommodate the legitimate interests of affected occupants, property owners and landowners while protecting the long-term developmental objectives of the Circular Road project.
According to him, where displacement becomes unavoidable in the public interest, adequate and maximum compensation, resettlement and other appropriate mitigation measures should form an integral part of the policy framework.
Olatunji further explained that his approach to political engagement has deliberately been centred on proposing pragmatic solutions to the challenges confronting the state rather than engaging in unnecessary attacks on fellow contestants.
He said: “Many observers have appreciated my approach to political discussions because I have deliberately chosen to focus on pragmatic solutions to critical issues of leadership and governance rather than spending precious time attacking my co-contestants.
“This is a deliberate style developed out of genuine intention and commitment to the people I desire to lead in a collective engagement towards rebuilding and repositioning Oyo State.
“My focus is developmental politics. I have neither the time nor the inclination to engage in puerile, infantile and retrogressive political arguments or populist policy propositions simply because they may sound attractive in the short term.”
The ADP candidate, however, admitted that he occasionally becomes concerned when he listens to some of the responses and policy positions of political actors on critical matters of governance.
He said his consolation remains the growing capacity of the electorate to independently evaluate the candidates, their records, intellectual capacity, policy propositions, emotional maturity, integrity, empathy and commitment to public service.
“The electorate will silently analyse all of us. They will examine our ideas, our understanding of governance, our capacity, our sincerity and the practicality of what we are offering.
“At the appropriate time, the people will use their votes to separate the chaff from the useful crop during the harvest of the 2027 elections.
“I am confident that Oyo people will choose substance over propaganda, competence over mediocrity, strategic development over populism and genuine commitment over political theatrics.”
Olatunji reiterated his commitment to providing an alternative model of leadership anchored on competence, accountability, empathy, strategic planning, human capacity development, sustainable economic transformation and inclusive governance, stressing that Oyo State requires a leadership that thinks beyond the next election cycle and focuses on building a prosperous future for present and succeeding generations.
Signed:
Kunle Olatunji (KTJ)
Governorship Campaign Organization KOCO
