In this interview, Olajide Esan, the African Action Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, speaks with AYOOLA BABALOLA on his plans to reduce dependence on federal allocations, create jobs through agriculture, mining and technology, strengthen transparency, tackle insecurity and convince voters that the AAC offers a credible alternative to the state’s dominant political parties
How do you plan to reduce Osun’s dependence on federal allocations and build a self-sustaining economy that can generate strong internally generated revenue without overburdening citizens with taxes?
I appreciate the opportunity to speak directly from the heart of our Covenant with the People of Osun (manifesto). This is not a document of empty promises – it is our shared roadmap built on five transformative pillars to restore power to the people, defend the masses, and build a self-reliant Osun. Osun has suffered too long from over-dependence on federal allocations while our own resources lie untapped. In our covenant, we will build a truly self-sustaining economy by unlocking the productive potential within our state. We will establish the Osun State Investment Bank to manage revenues strategically, invest wisely in key sectors, and provide venture capital for promising startups. A cornerstone of this vision is our Osun Agro-Trade Economic Plan, which will transform Osun into the agricultural powerhouse and trading heartbeat of the Southwest. We will create specialized farmer clusters for key crops such as cocoa, cassava, and maize, enabling our farmers to thrive and trade freely within our borders. This will strengthen value; chains, boost food security, reduce dependence on external supplies, and naturally grow our internally generated revenue through increased agricultural output and vibrant intra-state commerce. Through responsible mining of our gold in Ilesha, we target N5 billion annually in IGR via the Osun Mining Development Corporation and 13% derivation, with proceeds reinvested locally to benefit our people. We will also build a tri-hub ecosystem – Automobile Village, Electronics Hub, and IT/ Tech Hub – to drive real economic activity and link seamlessly with our agro-trade initiatives. This is how we reduce dependence on Abuja: by making Osun productive through agriculture, trade, responsible resource use, and innovation – creating shared prosperity for every family without placing undue burden on our hardworking citizens
