Osun voters want the next governor to focus on security and public safety, employment and economic growth, education, according to International Press Centre (IPC), but candidates use proxies to present ideas on TV, radio
With the Osun gubernatorial election scheduled for August 15, 2026, political conversation across the state is intensifying. According to INEC, 2,339,233 registered voters will decide among candidates from 14 political parties contesting for the top seat.
An ongoing online survey by the International Press Centre (IPC) shows what matters most to residents. Of over 300 respondents, 37.1% named security and public safety as their top priority, followed by employment and economic growth at 27%. Other concerns ranked lower: infrastructure 10.8%, education 9.5%, youth empowerment 9.5%, and healthcare services 6%.
The survey also found that 85% of participants said they are ready to vote in the upcoming election. Respondents want candidates to prioritize agricultural support, rural development, and small business growth. Despite a tense political atmosphere and reports of political killings and violence in the state, more than 80% still expressed readiness to take part in the August 15 poll.
As citizens call for issue-based campaigns focused on their stated priorities, gubernatorial candidates in Osun appear to be avoiding direct media engagement. Many have shied away from radio and TV appearances to discuss their manifestos and how they would address the areas voters highlighted.
Meanwhile, the APC and Accord Party candidates have made several claims and promises through proxies on radio and television stations. Instead of discussing policy or their manifestos, these proxies have traded political jabs, offered excuses, and made allegations against rivals.
Additional findings show that Najeem Folasayo Salam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election, was the only one among the three major contenders to appear on radio stations in the state to discuss his campaign plans.
Speaking on radio stations including Unique 103.1 FM Ara Station, Salam devoted much of the discussion to defending the previous administration in which he served as Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly. He highlighted and defended key programs introduced under former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, including the modulated/half-salary policy, O-Meal, O-Ambulance, O-Widow Support, and the Osun Elders Welfare scheme.
He also briefly addressed electricity during his appearance on _Oro Oselu_, the flagship program on Unique 103.1 FM. Salam said fixing Osun’s epileptic power supply would be a top priority, and promised 24-hour electricity through strategic investments, alternative energy sources, and public-private partnerships. He described power as “the engine of development.”
On _Ijoba Awarawa_, Salam outlined agriculture as the backbone of his economic agenda. He pledged to employ 20,000 workers within his first 100 days, prioritize security, run an open-door administration, and rebuild trust between government and citizens.
With the election drawing closer, residents of Osun State have raised concerns about gubernatorial candidates using proxies to sell ideas and engage the public instead of appearing themselves.
Dayo Olaosebi, 36, a private school teacher, told WITHIN NIGERIA that gubernatorial candidates are avoiding media houses because they do not respect the people.
“Candidates who campaign through proxies will surely govern through proxies,” Dayo said.
He added that many candidates are also avoiding direct engagement to escape accountability. With the election just four weeks away, he noted that radio and television stations are dominated by proxies, not the candidates themselves.
“Where are our guber candidates?” a worried Dayo asked.
Tolulope Ajisafe, an eligible voter in Ikirun and mechanic based in Ilesa, also told WITHIN NIGERIA that he no longer listens to political radio programs.
According to him, the programs have turned into platforms for allegations and insults, rather than discussions on critical issues affecting the people.
“Candidates must come on radio and TV,” said Tolulope. “They need to meet the people, sell their manifestos, and campaign on issues.”
Tolulope, who praised ADC’s Najeem Salam for showing up, said radio programs shouldn’t be about blame games. They should be about how a candidate’s plans will solve problems that matter to the people.
Fakeye Ezekiel, 26, a college student, told WITHIN NIGERIA that the reason candidates skip media engagements is simple: there are no consequences.
“Candidates are not ghosts. They are a reflection of the people they want to serve,” Ezekiel said.
He said many aspirants are more focused on winning than governing, and have resorted to easier tactics like vote-buying and sharing rice and Indomie to get votes.
“We are 32 days to the election and I cannot point to any presentation of manifestos or ideas from candidates seeking our votes,” a worried Ezekiel said. “When they do come on radio, some supporters turn it into comedy and abandon the issues. Candidates only speak to their own supporters at rallies.”
Solomon Odeyemi, a development expert, while commenting on the IPC survey results, said the four top issues — security, jobs, growth and education — are deeply linked.
“You can’t grow an economy if people don’t feel safe. You can’t keep kids in school if parents have no income,” he said. “So voters are basically asking for a foundation-first agenda.”
The expert, however, flagged what he called a “bigger red flag” in the ongoing campaigns: the reliance on proxies by some candidates.
“When citizens rank security, jobs, growth and education, they expect concrete proposals, not general statements,” he said. “People want specifics: a 5-point plan for policing, MSME support, agribusiness value chains, and technical education. Sending proxies to TV and radio turns that into generic messaging. You lose nuance and accountability.”
He argued that governance involves hard trade-offs that only candidates themselves can defend.
“Do we fund more police or more vocational centers? Do we subsidize farming inputs or attract factories? Voters deserve to hear the candidate explain those choices, not a spokesperson reading talking points.”
Odeyemi warned that campaigning through representatives could set a pattern for governance.
“If the person who campaigns through proxies wins, governing through proxies becomes the habit. That’s how manifesto items die. For something as cross-cutting as employment and security, you need the governor in the room with commissioners, traditional rulers, and youth groups.”
He concluded that while Osun voters have identified the right priorities, democracy requires direct engagement from those seeking office.
“Osun voters have named practical and interlinked priorities. But democracy works best when the person asking for the job also explains how they’ll do it. Candidates who only show up via proxies are asking for a mandate without doing the hard part of earning trust.”
He urged aspirants to appear personally on television and radio programs to take questions from the public.
“Go on those same TV and radio shows yourself. Take questions on security funding, job creation, and school quality. That’s where you’ll actually win votes, and more importantly, where you’ll build the public buy-in needed to deliver,” he added.
