Prince Dotun Babayemi, a lawyer and security expert, is among the applicants for the Congress Government Ticket of all progressives (APC) for the 2026 elections in the state of Osun. In this interview by Kunle Oderemi, he talks about the increase in the number of applicants for the ticket, a crisis that generally characterizes the behavior of the party's primaries, which the next electoral presage for the APC, among other issues. Some extracts:
The founding parents of the State of Osun had a great dream with a state that would force a niche for itself as the true model of economic growth and development. But that desire is still a dream. What government model do you think the State needs to really transform, several decades after its creation?
Technology (data): The participatory and collaborative government model promoted by technology is our form of choice. There is a need for all interested parties, who are the government and citizens, feel and plan the future together. Not only that, government decisions will also be taken after listening to the voices of the other interested parties. This is not the lipstick, but a genuine participation to reach the results that really address the needs of people.
Subsequently, the implementation of the programs and projects that arise from the above will be carried out through collaboration and joint decision making between government agencies, the private sector and civil society groups. This will ensure that the commitment and efforts of all interested parties are taken into account, and the government is not left in the rise of the entire development burden. It also promotes transparency and responsibility, which further promotes confidence in all interested parties to make more commitments.
The APC, which is believed to be a set of progressives, ruled the State for several years. Why has it been difficult for the party to reach such an ideal, despite the avalanche of opportunities when it remained?
Actually, the APC, or if I can identify them as the progressive trend, has achieved a lot, and it is in their efforts that others have built. However, given the shortage of the requirements for sustainable development on all fronts, it is very difficult to make advances in many areas at the same time; Hence this erroneous perception. For example, the former governor, Chief Bisi Akande, provided the basis for the government to even work efficiently in the state of Osun. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola built the main roads of roads and education in the state, while Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola greatly improved healthy infrastructure. These are blocks for the construction of rapid growth and development that we hope to contribute to the State of Osun when we are given the opportunity to govern the State.
Two is good, but three, they say, it is always a crowd. His group already has a crowd fighting for his government ticket. What does the number foresee for the party, since too many chefs often spoil the broth?
They are already the first days. What I mean is that it is reasonable to assume that, although there are more than six applicants at this time, the numbers will be reduced as intensity increases. I see nothing bad with the number of applicants at this time. I think the current scenario helps stimulate party activities and revitalizes the energy of party members. Instead of seeing this from a negative perspective, it is a kind of advantage for the party. How many are we now? We are only nine or others that are currently out of the race. It is only from the selfish point of view that one may mean 'the less, the better'. In this case, I will say the more, happier. These people we are talking about are mature individuals, who have demonstrated their temper in their different professional efforts. In addition, our presence has helped increase political commitments in the state that will finally be for the benefit of APCs in surveys.
Why do you think you are the best among them to deserve the Governor of APC?
I think that, apart from my high competition history, I have a very wide basis of people who share my vision for a developed OSun state. In addition, I have never held any political position; Whether small or large, a development that has made me fresh and pristine. Then, my candidacy will be a breath of fresh air, so that all the different caucus within the party will relate, and especially for young people who distrust the headlines of veteran political positions.
The party's behavior is often marked by controversies, claims and contrademanders of contestants for party tickets. What do you think about the type of primary election that will be less acrimony and will be able to produce a candidate who will deliver the votes in 2026?
APC is a sophisticated and organized political party with a rooted democratic spirit. Therefore, party managers will not leave the known democratic traditions of direct or indirect primary school. The most important thing is that, regardless of the two, all party members will be able to gather the bearer of the flag, and we will be prepared to eliminate the current administration in the state of Osun.
In addition, post-primary disputes have always proven disastrous for the parties, especially in the survey. To what extent does the stage foresee in the APC, a development that gave a serious blow to its survey possibilities in the past?
A great relief that I have about this is the resolution of all those looking for the Governor APC ticket in the state. This is because, in the first place, the PDP Administration must come to an end in Osun in 2026. For us the applicants, it is not a matter of doing or dying to be chosen, because we are an indivisible family. Therefore, do not worry, our resolution to win and return to the track for the benefit of our people and the State will eclipse our individual ambitions. The most important thing, if one considers the commendable leadership style that President Bola Tinubu, the general leader of the party, who have not been distinguishing other parts, have not been allowed in our party. So, there are no concerns at all.
How crucial is the election of Governor of 2026 to the APC in the center of the accumulation of the next presidential election and, in fact, the general elections of 2027 and why?
That the Governor of Osun 2026 elections will be crucial for the general elections of 2027 is to declare the obvious. We want to return to our winning forms in preparation for the presidential and general elections of 2027. Then, this election gives the APC the opportunity to reconnect strongly with people through our good characteristic governance oriented to people, and build on this in 2027.
Once you were part of the APC before deserting the Democratic Party of the Peoples a few years ago. As an individual, what have been your contributions to the APC after joining?
As I said before, I met with the party more than a year and since then, I have, with the orientation of our leader, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the honorable Minister of Marine Economy and Blue, and our elders of the party, have been offering my modest contributions aimed at repositioning the party through various commitments, reaching the party members throughout the state and restarting their spirit and Zreal. This has generally been recognized and I am happy that my efforts are appreciated.
Osun as an agrarian state has not seriously exploited the agricultural sector, despite its immense perspectives and opportunities for economic and industrial transformation. The State used to be self -sufficient in the food supply and the chain. What happens to the state so that it has been suffocated under food insecurity and perennial food infrastructure challenges?
You are right when asking why agriculture, with all the potential it represents and the inherent advantages that enjoy Osun's status to be a serious priority sector. But it must be said that several administrations in the past have tried to do something in agriculture, however, have had different degrees of success. For me, agriculture is the key piece of my Development Plan for Osun. With this, I mean agriculture in all ramifications, which includes livestock, fishing and aquaculture, as well as a robust horticulture plan. Agroindustrias will naturally emerge, storage and logistics, the exchange of basic products, etc., are on the horizon. This means that practically everything we are going to do will be to make OSUN an agricultural power. And we are sure that we will do the will of our people, who expect the imminent prosperity.
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