AS POLITICAL activity gathers pace in Oyo State, familiar tactics are reappearing – appeals to identity, carefully crafted narratives about origin, and a flood of promises. But elections are not theatre; they are decisions with real consequences for jobs, schools, healthcare, and the cost of living. If Oyo is to move forward, voters must insist on something sturdier than slogans: verifiable facts, personal integrity, and a proven record of service.
First, facts over claims.
Questions about a candidate’s local roots or community ties often surface during campaigns. Such matters should be straightforward to verify through public records and community testimony. When claims become controversial, the right response is not to trade accusations, but to demand evidence.
Oyo’s challenges are not abstract. Families are grappling with rising costs. Young people need decent work. Communities require reliable infrastructure and quality public services. Serious candidates should present clear, costed plans – how they will expand opportunities, strengthen public institutions, and protect the most vulnerable. Vague assurances are not enough; specificity is the currency of credibility. Can Bimbo Adekanmbi who still have case to answer with the EFCC be trusted with good governance?
Voters in Ona Ara and across the state should ask Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning in the administration of late Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, simple, fair questions: What is documented? What do long-standing community stakeholders say? Transparency on basic facts is a minimum standard for anyone seeking public trust.
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Second, integrity is non-negotiable.
Public office is a stewardship of collective resources. That is why questions about probity – especially those connected to previous time in office – deserve careful scrutiny.
We must not forget that Bimbo Adekanmbi served has Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning in the administration of the late Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi. Where there are publicly reported allegations or ongoing inquiries, citizens have a right to seek clarity from candidates and to follow credible reporting from institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
According to reports, about 30 billion naira was mismanaged under the leadership of Bimbo Adekanmbi. There are others at the public domain. Due process matters, and so does accountability. Both can – and should – co-exist in the public interest.
Oyo has the talent and resources to set a higher bar for politics – one where facts are checked, integrity is expected, and performance is measured. If voters hold firm to these standards, the quality of leadership will rise to meet them.
It’s important for Governor Seyi Makinde to recall that he created a path for Oyo State people to understand that a credible candidate without unblemished integrity and antecedence just like him when he was coming in should be sold to the good people of Oyo State not setting the people back to days of where people without dignity and questionable character rule the state.
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Third, track record over rhetoric.
Campaign seasons produce eloquence; and governance demands results. The most reliable predictor of future performance is past conduct. Voters should examine concrete outcomes from any prior roles played by Bimbo Adekanmbi. How were public funds managed? Which projects were completed on time and within budget? What measurable improvements can be tied to the candidate’s tenure? These questions cut through noise and anchor the debate in reality.
Fourth, insist on issue-based campaigns.
Oyo’s challenges are not abstract. Families are grappling with rising costs. Young people need decent work. Communities require reliable infrastructure and quality public services. Serious candidates should present clear, costed plans – how they will expand opportunities, strengthen public institutions, and protect the most vulnerable. Vague assurances are not enough; specificity is the currency of credibility. Can Bimbo Adekanmbi who still have case to answer with the EFCC be trusted with good governance?
Finally, remember where power lies.
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Democracy places the decisive power in the hands of citizens. That power is strongest when it is informed. Verify before you share. Read beyond headlines. Attend town halls. Ask direct questions and expect direct answers. Reward honesty and competence; reject manipulation and evasion.
Oyo has the talent and resources to set a higher bar for politics – one where facts are checked, integrity is expected, and performance is measured. If voters hold firm to these standards, the quality of leadership will rise to meet them.
Oyo people need someone that will continue where Governor Makinde will stop and not those with dark past. It’s important that Governor Makinde must come clean and show the people that integrity matters.
Shalom!
Mr Ifaponle is a political commentator and Pan-Africanist. He can be reached via email: adedosuifanponle@gmail.com
