By John Fike, Osogbo
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has promised to introduce grants, affordable loans and health insurance for traders if elected governor.
He made the promises during an engagement with traders and market leaders, where he also announced a donation of ₦10 million to support the market.
Expressing confidence ahead of the election, the APC candidate said he believed that, by the grace of God, he and his running mate would emerge victorious when the governorship election is concluded.
Addressing the traders, Oyebamiji assured the Babaloja, Iyaloja and other market leaders that the requests presented to him on behalf of the market would receive priority attention if he assumes office.
He said his administration would carefully consider the needs of traders and implement programmes aimed at improving their businesses and livelihoods.
According to him, traders across the state would directly benefit from his administration through economic empowerment initiatives designed to strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises.
He said his government would facilitate access to grants that beneficiaries would not be required to repay, explaining that development partners, including international organisations, would be engaged to support programmes targeted at market men and women.
Oyebamiji also pledged to strengthen cooperative societies across the state and collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that traders have access to grants and affordable loans to expand their businesses.
The APC candidate described traders as critical stakeholders in the state’s economy, saying no community or state could experience meaningful development without the support and prosperity of its markets.
He promised that, if elected, his administration would improve education, healthcare and other critical sectors while ensuring that traders also benefit from government programmes.
As part of his welfare plans, Oyebamiji promised to introduce health insurance coverage for traders across Osun State, saying access to quality healthcare would be one of the priorities of his administration.
He assured the traders that his government would be inclusive and consult widely with market leaders and communities before taking decisions affecting their welfare.
According to him, his administration would maintain regular engagement with Babalojas, Iyalojas and other stakeholders to identify their needs and develop policies that respond to their concerns.
“We will not seek your votes and then abandon you after the election. Our government will belong to everyone,” he said.
Oyebamiji also urged eligible voters to safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and not exchange them for financial inducements ahead of the election.
Without providing evidence, he alleged that some individuals were indirectly buying PVCs by inviting young people to local government offices under the guise of issuing appointment letters, collecting their bank account details and transferring money to them.
He urged residents not to be deceived by such alleged practices, insisting that his campaign would focus on programmes and policies rather than inducement.
The APC standard-bearer reiterated his commitment to fulfilling campaign promises if elected governor, assuring the traders that they would witness an administration focused on inclusive governance and economic development.
As part of the visit, Oyebamiji announced a donation of ₦10 million to support the market, stating that the money would be paid directly into the market’s designated account.
He explained that the account details requested from the market leadership were solely for the purpose of transferring the donation.
