There Is Dignity in Waking Up Without Fear of Immigration Raids The Nation We Criticize, The Nation That Came for Its Own As a plane carrying 262 Nigerians touched down in Lagos from South Africa, it carried more than passengers. It carried stories. Stories of survival, disappointment, fear, resilience, and perhaps most importantly, a renewed understanding of what it means to belong. For years, many of these Nigerians left home in pursuit of opportunities. Like millions of Africans before them, they crossed borders believing that prosperity could be found elsewhere. Some built businesses. Some raised families. Some spent more than a decade trying to establish a life in a foreign land. Then reality arrived. The anti-immigration protests that swept across parts of South Africa reminded many foreigners of a painful truth: regardless of how long one stays abroad, there are moments when citizenship becomes more valuable than currency, more protective than wealth, and more important than amb...
Hareter Babatunde Oralusi (HBO) stands out in Nigerian politics as a leader whose credentials, character, and vision set him apart. As Osun State approaches the 2026 gubernatorial election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has the opportunity to field a transformational leader in HBO, who embodies the aspirations of a state yearning for genuine development and leadership that understands their struggles and potential.
The Architecture of Excellence
HBO's journey is a blueprint for modern leadership, rooted in solid educational foundations, international business exposure, and years of community engagement. Born into modest circumstances, HBO's determination, strategic thinking, and commitment to lifting others have defined his path. As Chairman of the Nigerian Capital Development Fund, HBO's expertise in capital development and business management is crucial for Osun, where economic diversification and youth unemployment are significant challenges.
Unlike many political aspirants, HBO's philanthropy and community engagement span decades, with investments in education, youth empowerment, and community development across the Ife zone. This track record provides voters with predictability based on past performance rather than campaign promises.
Electoral Mathematics of Victory
HBO's emergence from the Ife region, Osun State's largest voting bloc, is the result of years of authentic engagement with communities. His deep roots, accessible leadership style, and proven track record of empowerment position him as the embodiment of the region's highest aspirations for leadership representation. HBO's profile offers APC cross-party appeal, making him attractive to voters who prioritize competence over partisan loyalty.
A Fresh Departure
Against the backdrop of dissatisfaction with the current PDP administration in Osun State, HBO presents a compelling alternative. His business acumen and track record of turning vision into reality address voter frustrations and offer hope for genuine transformation. HBO's leadership style, built on community engagement and grassroots connection, contrasts with the perceived inaccessibility of the current administration.
HBO's reputation and transparent dealings stand in stark contrast to the perceived excesses of recent governance in the state. His integrity serves as a foundation for sustainable governance. HBO's vision for leadership in 21st-century Nigeria is informed by modern business principles while remaining deeply rooted in traditional values of service, community, and collective progress.
Let APC Get It Right
For the APC, choosing HBO represents strategic positioning for both immediate electoral success and long-term party building. HBO's financial independence allows him to focus on service rather than personal enrichment, a crucial consideration for voters. His grassroots appeal and community connections provide APC with authentic local support built on years of consistent engagement.
The Vision Realized
HBO represents what Osun State needs at this critical juncture: leadership that combines global exposure with local understanding, business acumen with social consciousness, and political ambition with genuine service orientation. His candidacy offers voters an opportunity to choose competence over connections, integrity over rhetoric, and vision over empty promises. For APC, HBO represents the clearest path to reclaiming Osun State while building a foundation for sustained political relevance. For Osun citizens, he represents hope for governance that prioritizes development over politics, results over process, and people over party.
The choice before APC delegates and Osun voters is clear: embrace the future of competent, integrity-driven leadership that HBO represents, or remain trapped in cycles of political mediocrity. HBO offers a path forward built on excellence, service, and an unwavering commitment to transforming Osun State into a model of what Nigerian governance can achieve when the right leader meets the right moment in history.
*Lawal writes from Modakeke, Osun State.
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