The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Hon. Kunle Olatunji KTJ, has urged voters to critically assess the character, competence, experience and emotional maturity of candidates seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections.
Olatunji made the call while participating in the Independence Day edition of the Public Square interactive programme organised by Success FM at the Otunba Subomi Balogun Conference Centre, University of Ibadan Hotels and Guest Houses, Ibadan.
The forum brought together governorship candidates and provided an opportunity for political stakeholders and members of the public to engage candidates on issues concerning the state ahead of the 2027 election.
Speaking on his assessment of candidates seeking the governorship, Olatunji identified three attributes he said voters should consider: intellectual capacity, experience and exposure, as well as emotional balance and maturity.
He said Oyo State had several intellectually capable and experienced individuals seeking the governorship, although their capacities and levels of exposure differed.
Olatunji, however, expressed concern about what he described as differences in the emotional maturity of some aspirants and candidates.
According to him, emotional maturity is important in governance because leaders are required to manage pressure, disagreements, competing interests and sensitive issues of public administration with restraint and sound judgment.
“My candid opinion is that Oyo State is lucky to have some brilliant, intelligent and exposed individuals offering themselves for the governorship, though certainly at varying degrees of above-average capacity by my assessment,” he said.
“However, there is a very high degree of variance when it comes to emotional balance and maturity. For me, this deficiency is critical and should not be overlooked in deciding who should be entrusted with the management of the affairs of the state.”
The ADP candidate maintained that emotional maturity should not be measured by age, academic qualifications or social status.
He urged voters to look beyond academic credentials, political pedigree and professional accomplishments when assessing candidates for public office.
“This challenge has nothing to do with age, academic qualifications or societal status. Leadership requires much more than these attributes,” he said.
“If an individual does not possess the emotional maturity required to manage the enormous responsibilities of governance, such a person should not be entrusted with the affairs of Oyo State.”
Olatunji also said the state had experienced what he described as prolonged mediocrity in leadership and governance, arguing that residents deserved a higher standard of public administration.
He called for greater emphasis on competence, discipline, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and responsible decision-making in the management of the state.
“Governance and leadership in Oyo State henceforth must go beyond political slogans, entertainment, familiar rhetoric and the politics of the microphone,” he said.
“The responsibility of governing a state requires competence, discipline, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and the capacity to make sound decisions in the public interest.”
Olatunji said the 2027 election should provide an opportunity for voters to assess candidates based on their capacity to provide accountable and development-oriented leadership.
He added that the coming electoral process would offer candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership capabilities.
“In the days ahead, you will see that the boys will indeed be separated from the men,” he said.
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