2027: Oluyole no longer for political traders, mandate returning to the people – APM Rep candidate, Olatunji

The Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government and Allied People’s Movement (APM) Federal House of Representatives candidate ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections, Akeem Olatunji, has declared that he would work tirelessly to justify the confidence reposed in him by Seyi Makinde.

This was as he pledged to reclaim the Oluyole Federal Constituency for what he described as “the real people of the constituency.”

Olatunji’s comments come amid ongoing political realignments in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several political actors and loyalists shifting camps in response to widening divisions within major political parties in the state.

Olatunji, who recently emerged as the consensus House of Representatives candidate of the APM, said, the wait is now over for the people of Oluyole federal constituency to reclaim their mandate.

Recall that the Council boss had last week dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before officially defecting to the APM over the lingering internal crises rocking his former party.

Olatunji lamented that the people of Oluyole had suffered years of poor representation at the federal level and lack of physical federal presence in the federal constituency.

Speaking during a political engagement with Oluyole market leaders association led by their Babaloja and Iyaloja Oluyole, and stakeholders across the constituency at his private residence on Saturday, the Reps candidate said the federal constituency had remained without meaningful federal presence for too long.

He accused the incumbent lawmaker of serially abandoning the people after successive elections, and only returns when it’s time for electioneering politics.

According to him, residents of the constituency only hear from their representative during electioneering campaigns, alleging that the seat had been reduced to what he termed “Abuja trading politics” disconnected from the realities and struggles of ordinary constituents at the grassroots.

“We cannot continue to allow Oluyole Federal Constituency to drift without direction and purposeful representation, thereby, handling the collective destiny of our people as business as usual under the guise of politics.

“Our people deserve visible projects, impactful empowerment, quality representation and a voice that speaks consistently for them in Abuja.

“I will work tirelessly to justify this confidence reposed in me by Governor Seyi Makinde and the overwhelming support of my new party, the APM.

“This movement is beyond personal ambition. It is about rescuing Oluyole and returning the constituency to the real owners, the people,” Olatunji said.

The former PDP chieftain maintained that his political decisions were driven by the need to align with the aspirations of the grassroots.

He insisted that the prolonged internal wranglings within his former party had made it difficult for genuine cohesive politics to thrive.

Olatunji said his defection to the APM was borne out of conviction and consultation with political associates, community leaders, youths and loyal supporters across the ten wards of the local government.

He expressed confidence that the growing support base for his aspiration would translate into a resounding electoral victory.

He noted that the people were already yearning for a new direction anchored on accessibility, accountability and people-oriented representation, which he said his candidacy represents.

The Oluyole council boss further promised to prioritise infrastructure development, youth empowerment, educational support initiatives and federal opportunities capable of improving the living conditions of constituents if elected into the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

He also vowed to sustain grassroots political engagement, saying leadership must remain connected to the people beyond campaign periods.

“Our people are tired of absentee representation. They are tired of leaders whose voices disappear after getting to Abuja.

“Oluyole deserves better and by the grace of God, we will restore dignity, attract development and ensure our constituency takes its rightful place nationally,” he added.