A gubernatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akinola Olatunde Joseph, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, pledging to deliver a people-driven administration anchored on godliness, service, and accountability.
Speaking during the unveiling of his manifesto titled “A Vision for a People-Driven Oyo State (2027)”, Joseph, who holds a B.Tech in Chemistry and an MBA, described his decision to join the race as a call to service rather than a quest for power.
“I come before you not as a career politician or a man of wealth, but as a servant with a clear conscience and a burning passion to make governance truly serve the people,” he declared.
Building on Existing Foundations
The APC hopeful commended the current administration for its strides in infrastructure, education, and agriculture, promising to consolidate on those gains rather than discard them.
“I do not come to criticize or destroy; I come to complement and continue — to bring creativity, prudence, and transparency to what has been started,” he said.
Social Welfare at the Core
At the heart of Joseph’s manifesto is what he termed a “Social Welfare Revolution,” focusing on support for farmers, youths, the elderly, and vulnerable groups.
He outlined plans to:
Support smallholder farmers with fertilizers, improved seedlings, and soft credit.
Establish a Youth Skills and Enterprise Fund to promote entrepreneurship.
Revive vocational and technical education and develop ICT innovation hubs.
Provide monthly support allowances for widows and the aged.
Offer free healthcare for citizens over 70 and free maternal and child healthcare.
He also proposed a “Work-for-Pay” public works initiative to tackle youth unemployment through community-based infrastructure projects.
Education and Health Reforms
Reaffirming Oyo’s status as the “intellectual capital of the Southwest,” Joseph pledged to prioritize education through teachers’ welfare, digital learning tools, and scholarships for brilliant indigent students.
He also promised to strengthen primary healthcare systems, equip rural clinics, and provide incentives for health workers in underserved areas.
Transparent and Inclusive Governance
Joseph vowed to run an open and transparent government, introducing an Oyo Open Governance Portal for real-time updates on state projects and expenditures.
He also promised to establish Community Budget Forums across all local governments to ensure public participation in decision-making.
“My government will operate with open doors and open books. When people trust their government, progress becomes natural,” he assured.
Women Empowerment and Inclusion
He emphasized women’s inclusion in governance, stating that every ministry and local council would have women in decision-making positions, supported by business grants and agricultural programs.
A Covenant with the People
Joseph described his ambition as a covenant between him, God, and the people of Oyo State, stressing that his leadership would be rooted in truth, compassion, and accountability.
“I do not have wealth to distribute, but I have truth, integrity, and compassion to lead with. Every policy will have a human face,” he said.
The Oyo Dream
Concluding his address, Joseph called on citizens across Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, Oyo, and Ibarapa to unite for a common cause — the rebirth of Oyo State.
“Together, under the APC, guided by faith, and strengthened by purpose, we can build an Oyo State where no one is left behind. Because Oyo belongs to all of us — and together, we shall rise.”
