BY ABIOLA OLUWASEUN
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State prepares for its crucial governorship primary on December 13, 2025, one name continues to stand out among the array of aspirants — Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
In a state long celebrated for its intellectual vibrancy and civic engagement, the stakes are high. Osun, a state that prides itself on culture, education, and industriousness, also faces mounting economic pressures.
Beyond the usual rhetoric of politics, AMBO’s candidacy represents competence, discipline, and tested experience — values Osun State
A Technocrat With Proven Capacity
Asiwaju Oyebamiji’s reputation as a disciplined, visionary, and pragmatic leader is not new to the people of Osun State. Having served in two strategic positions first as Managing Director of the Osun Investment Company Limited (OSICOL), and later as Commissioner for Finance under two governors. He has consistently demonstrated an uncommon capacity to turn challenges into opportunities.
When AMBO assumed leadership of OSICOL in 2012, the agency was on the brink of collapse. With little or no financial life left in it, the company was seen as a relic of the past. But under Oyebamiji’s leadership, OSICOL experienced a remarkable turnaround.
According to Adebayo Adedeji, an economic analyst, “Within five years, OSICOL built over 40 flats in choice areas of Lagos and Abuja and developed a mega fuel retailing station — now operated by the NNPC — to boost Osun’s internally generated revenue.”
This transformation was no accident. It was the result of deliberate strategic planning, diversification into viable sectors like oil and gas, real estate, and infrastructure, and a clear vision for economic self-sufficiency.
The Financial Reformer Who Rescued Osun’s Economy
In May 2017, AMBO’s performance at OSICOL earned him another call to service, as Commissioner for Finance. The timing could not have been more challenging.
Osun was drowning in debt, and its monthly revenue had plummeted to N1.3 billion, far below its N6.3 billion recurrent expenditure. Civil servants were being paid modulated salaries, and the state ranked 36th in Nigeria’s fiscal performance index, according to BudgIT.
Oyebamiji wasted no time tackling the crisis. He spearheaded the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to block revenue leakages and streamline cash management. He also harmonised the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and federal allocations under one transparent framework.
Within months, the long-standing half-salary regime was abolished, and full salaries were restored. Osun began to experience renewed fiscal stability.
During the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, where AMBO continued as Finance Commissioner, the state not only survived the economic shocks of COVID-19 and the #EndSARS unrest but also paid salaries and pensions promptly and offset N97 billion in inherited debts.
Under his financial stewardship, Osun’s IGR per capita rose from N1,378 in 2017 to N5,185 in 2022, and the state moved from 36th to 11th position in fiscal performance ranking.
Leadership Rooted in Discipline, Innovation, And Inclusiveness
As a seasoned banker and technocrat, Oyebamiji embodies the fiscal prudence and managerial discipline Osun needs today. His governance philosophy is anchored on accountability, measurable impact, and inclusive development.
He believes governance must directly translate to better infrastructure, improved healthcare, enhanced education, agricultural productivity, and youth empowerment. Unlike many politicians, AMBO’s focus has always been on long-term transformation rather than short-term applause.
His emphasis on entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and innovation reflects an understanding of how to prepare Osun’s youth for a fast-changing global economy.
A Call For Unity And Vision In The APC
As the APC gears up for its December primary, the need for unity, foresight, and political maturity cannot be overemphasised. The party must rally behind a candidate with not just political capital, but the technical competence and leadership depth to rebuild the state’s economy.
Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji represents that rare blend of technocratic excellence and grassroots understanding — a man who knows the numbers and understands the people behind them.
At a time when Osun faces mounting economic pressure, dwindling revenues, and infrastructural decay, the state needs a governor who can think strategically, act decisively, and manage resources prudently.
The APC’s Defining Moment
For the APC, the December 13 primary represents more than just a contest of ambitions; it is a referendum on competence versus convenience. The party must choose between recycling political rhetoric and presenting a candidate with the technical know-how to manage Osun’s evolving economic realities.
A vote for AMBO is not just a vote for one man; it is a vote for security, economic recovery, and sustainable progress. It is a vote for fiscal responsibility, quality healthcare, functional education, and a prosperous future for Osun’s children and youth.
AMBO’s strength lies not in political theatrics but in substance. His record speaks of a man who understands systems, reforms structures, and delivers results. In a state yearning for stability and direction, that combination is rare — and invaluable.
Also, delegates must look beyond sentiments and politics as usual; they must choose competence, integrity, and proven performance because when Osun State needs results, not promises, AMBO delivers, when Osun needed stability, AMBO provided it. When the state required courage in reform, AMBO led the charge.
Now, as Osun seeks renewal and growth, the message could not be clearer: THE TIME FOR AMBO IS NOW.
Abiola Oluwaseun writes from Osun State