The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Hon. Kunle Olatunji, has declared that he is confident of defeating candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the 2027 governorship election without spending money to mobilise crowds for campaign rallies.
Olatunji made the declaration during a media parley organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, where he said his ambition to become governor was driven by a genuine desire to serve the people and improve their living conditions rather than acquire wealth through public office.
He maintained that he was financially comfortable enough to cater for himself and his family, stressing that he was not desperate for political power but committed to providing purposeful leadership for Oyo State.
The ADP candidate dismissed the significance of large campaign crowds, alleging that some political parties were paying people to attend their rallies. He specifically claimed that the some party offers ₦5,000 to mobilise supporters for its campaign activities.
According to him, his campaign strategy would focus on grassroots mobilisation, direct engagement with voters and the effective use of radio and online media platforms rather than financial inducements to attract crowds.
He expressed optimism that at least 50 per cent of registered voters in the state would participate in the 2027 election and support his candidacy.
Although he acknowledged that the ADP might not have the financial resources of the major political parties, Olatunji expressed confidence in its electoral structure, recalling that the party had previously produced political office holders, including former Oyo State House of Assembly member, the late Hon. Temitope Olatoye, popularly known as Sugar.
Speaking on infrastructure, Olatunji lamented the condition of roads in several parts of the state, particularly Kishi, Ajaawa, Ibarapa and Igboora, promising that his administration, if elected, would ensure prudent utilisation of funds accruing to the state through internally generated revenue (IGR) and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
He identified the perceived ineffectiveness of local government administration as one of the major challenges affecting grassroots development, particularly the provision of roads and primary healthcare services.
According to him, local governments must be allowed to function effectively to deliver essential services and address the immediate needs of their communities.
On healthcare, the ADP governorship hopeful proposed a funding arrangement similar to the state’s education trust fund model to strengthen the health sector.
He promised to prioritise the establishment and effective operation of primary healthcare facilities across the state, while questioning the actual number of functional healthcare centres in Oyo State.
He said his findings suggested that the state had yet to achieve the 351 healthcare centres promised by the present administration.
Addressing security concerns, Olatunji described Oyo State as vulnerable to security threats because of its porous boundaries, stressing that security would be a major priority of his administration.
He disclosed plans to develop an integrated security framework involving state policing, community policing and a strengthened Amotekun security outfit, with emphasis on personnel training, intelligence gathering and technological support.
He also proposed a data-driven system to monitor the movement of people into and out of the state through its transportation network, alongside a central security monitoring system to coordinate intelligence gathering and security operations.
Olatunji added that his administration would leverage satellite technology, including Nigeria’s satellite infrastructure, to strengthen surveillance and provide a broader security picture across the state.
Earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Abas, urged Olatunji and other governorship candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns and regard the state as one united family despite their political differences.
Abas cautioned political parties against violence, blackmail, intimidation, harassment and the spread of propaganda, stressing that political competition should be based on healthy rivalry and issue-driven engagements.
He disclosed that the ADP leadership had assured the union of its commitment to peaceful campaigns, urging other political parties to emulate the gesture.
The NUJ chairman reaffirmed the union’s commitment to providing equal opportunities and a level playing field for all governorship candidates and political parties to present their programmes and engage with the electorate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
