The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Mogaji Olusegun Agboola, has called for a system-based approach to governance, saying the state’s challenges require solutions that address their root causes rather than temporary interventions.

Agboola, who emerged as the SDP’s governorship candidate following the party’s September 8, 2026 substitution plenary in Ibadan, made the assertion while speaking on the Morayo Show in Ibadan.

He said his decision to contest the 2027 governorship election was influenced by what he described as a “divine call” and a desire to bring the experience and accomplishments he had acquired in the private sector into public service.

According to him, remaining outside government while demanding better governance had limits, prompting him and others to seek a more direct role in public administration.

“We need to bring our accomplishments to the public sector. We’re already doing it as private individuals through charity organisations. But the greatest good we can do is with those publics,” he said.

Agboola said his proposed approach would replace what he described as “pedestrian thinking” with system-based solutions capable of addressing the underlying causes of problems in the state.

“Most of what they do now is just put plaster on the problem and tell you we’ve done enough. Most of the time, the solution is systemic,” he said.

Using education as an example, the SDP candidate argued that providing infrastructure alone would not resolve the challenges in the sector without simultaneous attention to teachers, learning materials and other components of the education system.

He also criticised what he described as poorly executed road interventions, arguing that road projects should be designed to reflect the nature and volume of traffic on particular routes.

“That’s what we mean by pedestrian thinking. That if you actually think deeply, you will know what the real solution should be, not plaster on these problems,” he said.

On local government administration, Agboola said his seven-point agenda would seek to strengthen local governments and make them more responsive to the needs of their communities.

He questioned the characterisation of local government autonomy as a distraction, saying the state comprised 33 local government areas whose authorities should be able to identify local problems and work with the state government to address them.

“The local government chairman there should be able to tell you, these are the problems of our people. These are the solutions we want to implement,” he said.

Agboola also questioned the use of state resources on federal infrastructure, citing the Ibadan Airport as an example. He argued that the state should carefully consider the financial implications of investing in facilities under federal ownership.

“I’m still very upset about it. How can a sitting government take money that belongs to the development of the state, go to a federal infrastructure and start ploughing money you can never recoup there?” he asked.

He also raised concerns about the condition of some public schools and inner-city roads, arguing that government spending should be more closely aligned with the everyday needs of residents.

“These are the kind of things we’re talking about when we say that really and truly the government should have their priorities right. They should know that their service is not showmanship but to serve the people,” he said.

On why he entered the governorship race, Agboola said he and others had for years called on those in government to improve governance without seeing the desired changes.

He said this experience contributed to his decision to seek political office and participate directly in public service.

“We have been at their necks for many years now, and we see they’re not budging, they’re not listening to us. So we thought if we join the race, surely they’ll be forced to listen,” he said.

Agboola, who described himself as an Ibadan-born and bred indigene, also spoke about his upbringing and education, saying these had shaped his understanding of the challenges facing Oyo State.

He urged voters to look beyond financial inducements during elections and consider the ideas, capacity and leadership approach of candidates before making their choices.

He said: “When you get to the polls, ask yourself, if I’m the director that needs to choose a leader, will I be happy to follow this one? Does this one know the road?”