Accord, APC, ADC resonate Agriculture development at 2026 Osun Governorship Town Hall meeting

 

The three major parties, Accord, All People Conference (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have said agriculture would be given priority to ensure food security and revenue generation through employment creation with the use of modern technologies.

The town hall meeting, held in Osogbo on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, featured incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord party who promised to sustain technology driven agriculture he had already started in the state, while APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and the ADC, Dr. Najeem Salaam also presented their plans to the sector towards ensuring  wealth and employment creations.

While the three candidates agreed on the importance of agriculture to enhance Osun's economy, their proposals differed significantly with emphasies.

Speaking at the event anchored by Dr. Reuben Abati of Arise News and other journalists, Governor Ademola Adeleke defended the performance of his administration, pointed to the existing investments in the agricultural sector saying farmers in the state can attest to.

Adeleke said his administration had purchased 31 tractors and provided seedlings and other farm inputs to farmers as part of its agricultural interventions.

His argument was that the interventions already undertaken by his government provided a foundation that could be built upon if given another term.

For the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, agriculture will take the number one position in his economic agenda if elected governor.

"I will prioritise agriculture. That's my number one," Oyebamiji said.

The former Commissioner for Finance added he would combine agricultural development with investments in education, healthcare and human capital.

Oyebamiji also linked his agricultural plans to his broader economic strategy, arguing that his experience in investment banking, investment management and public finance would enable him to attract capital and investors into the state.

He said his objective would be to build businesses and attract investments capable of expanding the state's economic base and improving the livelihoods of its people.

On his part the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, presented agriculture as one of the major instruments through which he intends to rebuild Osun's economy and create employment.

Salaam promised to revive agricultural and social intervention programmes associated with previous administrations added that his government would provide farmers with the modern tools to support and increase food production.

"I know what the farmers need and my government will provide it to improve their business," Salaam said.

The ADC candidate also proposed encouraging farm settlements, alongside the provision of infrastructure and social amenities that would help connect farmers to markets.