2027: Oluyole No Longer For Political Traders, Mandate Returning To The People — APM Reps Candidate, Olatunji
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) candidate for the Oluyole Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, Akeem Olatunji, has declared that the era of “political trading” in the constituency is over, pledging to return the mandate to the people through purposeful and people-oriented representation.
Olatunji also vowed to justify the confidence reposed in him by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as he promised to work tirelessly to reclaim the constituency for what he described as “the real owners — the people.”
The APM candidate made the declaration during a political engagement with members of the Oluyole Market Leaders Association, led by the Babaloja and Iyaloja of Oluyole, alongside stakeholders from across the constituency, held at his private residence in Ibadan on Saturday.
His remarks come amid ongoing political realignments in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several politicians and loyalists changing political camps in response to growing internal crises within major parties in the state.
Olatunji, who recently emerged as the consensus candidate of the APM for the House of Representatives seat, said the people of Oluyole Federal Constituency had waited too long to reclaim effective and responsive representation at the National Assembly.
The council chairman, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APM following prolonged internal disputes within the PDP, lamented what he described as years of poor representation and lack of meaningful federal presence in the constituency.
According to him, residents of the constituency only hear from their representatives during election periods, accusing the incumbent lawmaker of abandoning the people after securing electoral victory.
He described the situation as “Abuja trading politics,” disconnected from the realities and day-to-day struggles of ordinary constituents.
“We cannot continue to allow Oluyole Federal Constituency to drift without direction and purposeful representation, while the collective destiny of our people is treated as business as usual under the guise of politics,” he said.
“Our people deserve visible projects, impactful empowerment programmes, quality representation and a voice that consistently speaks for them in Abuja.
“I will work tirelessly to justify the 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 its real owners — the people,” Olatunji stated.
The former PDP chieftain maintained that his political decisions were driven by the aspirations of grassroots supporters, insisting that the lingering internal wranglings within his former party had made cohesive and progressive politics difficult.
He explained that his defection to the APM followed extensive consultations with political associates, community leaders, youths and loyal supporters across the 10 wards in the local government area.
Expressing confidence in his growing support base, Olatunji said the people were yearning for a new direction anchored on accessibility, accountability and inclusive representation.
He further pledged to prioritise infrastructure development, youth empowerment, educational support initiatives and improved access to federal opportunities capable of enhancing the living conditions of constituents if elected into the House of Representatives.
The Oluyole council boss also promised to sustain grassroots engagement beyond election periods, stressing that leadership must remain connected to the people at all times.
“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.