The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, has solicited the support of voters in Offa and Oyun Local Government Areas, pledging to provide quality and effective representation if elected.
Ajakaye made the appeal on Wednesday during a “thank you” tour of the two local government areas to appreciate party leaders, members and supporters for their roles in his emergence as the APC candidate for the federal constituency.
The tour, which commenced in Offa and ended in Ilemona, Oyun Local Government Area, attracted members of the state House of Assembly, council chairmen, party leaders, religious figures and various support groups.
Addressing supporters in the two communities, Ajakaye expressed appreciation for their support during the party’s primary election, assuring them that he would justify the confidence reposed in him if given the mandate in 2027.
He said his emergence was not an end in itself but an opportunity to serve the people and effectively articulate their interests at the National Assembly.
“We are here today for three to four reasons. But the most important one is to thank again and again the people of Offa and Oyun Local Governments for the support they have given to me,” Ajakaye told journalists on the sidelines of the visit.
“I am here to show my gratitude and reassure them that I will be their son both in words and actions. I will do everything possible to ensure that I do not disappoint them, and to justify the confidence they reposed in me as a candidate of the APC.
“Like I have told them, if I am elected, I will be their Aṣoju réré, meaning a true representative. I will be there because of them. I will be there to deliver their messages on the national stage.”
The APC candidate also acknowledged the commitment of party members to the party’s leadership and expressed confidence in their continued support for APC candidates across the state.
Speaking at the gathering, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon Femi Yusuf, thanked the people of Offa and Oyun for supporting Ajakaye’s emergence, describing their decision as consistent with the principles of equity, fairness and justice.
Yusuf recalled that leaders from Ifelodun had earlier visited Offa to seek support for the federal constituency’s House of Representatives ticket, which had been zoned to Ifelodun.
“Our visit today is to thank you, for we know the worth of your support and the confidence you repose in our party candidate, Dr Ajakaye, who is your son and brother from Ifelodun.
“I recall our earlier visit to seek your support, two months ago. It is interesting to note that you have played your own role by abiding by the party’s decision on rotation of the House of Reps ticket to Ifelodun for their turn. We cherish this, and we have come to appreciate you," the candidate said.
Yusuf described Ajakaye as a man with strong moral credentials and knowledge of Islamic teachings, saying his experience and commitment to good governance would enable him to make a difference if elected.
“This is a payback period. As you all know, Ifelodun has paid its due in favour of Offa and Oyun for the past years. It will not be unfair if both local governments pay back by electing a House of Reps candidate from the former,” he said.
Chairman of Offa Local Government Area, Hon Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, assured Ajakaye of the support of the people, saying the community was prepared to vote massively for APC candidates in the 2027 election.
“Let’s have no fear about Dr Ajakaye. He is tested and trusted. None of you is oblivious of the wonderful roles he played for the government and our party. And I am sure, he will never drop the ball,” Omituntun said.
“Our vote is not going to be divided. We are determined to cast our vote massively for Dr Ajakaye and other APC candidates because we know this will benefit us greatly.”
Also speaking, a prominent APC chieftain in Offa, Hon Hassan Oyeleke, appealed to the state government and party leadership to consider the community for appointments and other opportunities, citing its electoral strength and support for the party.
Oyeleke described Ajakaye as a founding member of the APC who had contributed to the development of the party, recalling his role during the party’s early years.
He said Offa had the capacity to deliver more than 150,000 votes for APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
“My people from Ifelodun, mark my words today, we will deliver for your son and other APC candidates in Offa,” Oyeleke declared.
He added that Ajakaye had demonstrated commitment to the party even when resources were limited.
“Talking about our candidate, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, I have known him as a well-bred pressman as far back as the early stage of our Oto'oge struggle. His service for the party at that time was more or less free because we didn’t even have money to pay him. He devoted most of his write-ups to protect us from any persecution,” he said.
A member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Hon Seun Oguniyi, also endorsed Ajakaye, describing him as a man of good character and due diligence with a record of service.
Oguniyi urged constituents to entrust their mandate to the APC candidate, while another lawmaker, Hon Abdulwaheed Gbenga Yussuf (JK), representing Essa/Shawo/Igboidun Constituency, expressed confidence that Offa would support APC candidates.
The APC Publicity Secretary in Kwara State, Alhaji Olawale, appealed to party members to support Ajakaye and other APC candidates, saying the candidate’s character and record of service would translate into effective representation.
He also called for a fair share of the dividends of democracy for the people of Offa.
Similarly, Hon AGF Salaudeen, representing Omupo Constituency in the state House of Assembly, said Offa’s support for the zoning arrangement was not surprising, describing the community as a strong believer in equity, fairness and justice.
He described Ajakaye as a cultured and generous public servant capable of representing the interests of the constituency effectively.
At Ilemona in Oyun Local Government Area, the Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and member representing Odo-Ogun Constituency, Hon Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, said Ajakaye’s emergence reflected the recognition of good character and commitment to the APC.
“In Oyun, PDP or other opposition parties are not existent. Our people are voting for APC,” Oyebode said.
Chairman of Oyun Local Government Area, Hon Akanbi Kamar Olarewaju, said the people of the council area were united in their political decisions and would replicate their support for APC in 2027.
He assured Ajakaye and other APC candidates of the people’s support, while urging party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and door-to-door campaigns ahead of the election.
Akanbi also said the people had resolved to seek a change in their representation at the House of Representatives, expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the incumbent lawmaker, Hon Ismaila Tijani.
The APC Chairman in Oyun, Mr Adewoye Mikael Kayode, described Ajakaye as “a very straightforward person” who, according to him, consistently matched his words with action.
He, however, charged the candidate to remain accessible to the people and maintain close contact with the party structure from the ward to the local government level if elected.
The stakeholders at the two engagements subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to mobilising support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
