The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has pledged to include non-indigenes and other interest groups in governance if elected in the August 15 poll.

Mr Oyebamiji made this known during a public engagement meeting with the members of the Arewa community in Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

He was represented at the meeting by Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a former special adviser on civic engagement to former governor Gboyega Oyetola.

The APC candidate said his administration would adopt a structured approach to fostering inclusive and participatory governance that accommodates all segments of society.

“This framework will bridge the gap between government and the grassroots, ensuring that public policies reflect the direct needs and input of the people,”  he said.

Mr Oyebamiji assured the residents that they would be actively involved in both policy formulation and implementation.

He said such inclusiveness would help harness the state’s potential in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the overall benefit of the people.

Mr Oyebamiji also said that his administration would sustain the APC’s people-oriented programmes by engaging with diverse groups, including farmers’ associations, trade unions, artisans, and non-indigene communities, thereby making them key stakeholders in governance.

In response, the Seriki of the Arewa community, Ayuba Abubakar, commended Mr Oyetola for his consistent engagement with the community.

Mr Abubakar also said the immediate past administration provided support and successfully resolved communal disputes through the Office of Civic Engagement, preventing potential crises.

He recalled how the past administration intervened during periods of communal challenges across parts of the state and facilitated the peaceful resolution of the issues.

He said, “Since then, we have been living in peace and harmony. Through the efforts of Oyintiloye, land was acquired for our community, and the government has consistently provided palliatives.

“We appeal to Oyebamiji to sustain the relationship established by the previous APC-led administration. We pledge our unalloyed support and will demonstrate it at the polls.

“We will support and vote for the APC in the forthcoming governorship election. Bola Oyebamiji is our candidate.”

He called for the creation of a more business-friendly environment to boost economic growth and development in the state.

(NAN)