Ajadi thanks stakeholders, urges APM leaders, members to unite ahead of 2027 elections

Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District, has appealed to party leaders, stakeholders and members across the constituency to embrace reconciliation and work together ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ajadi made the appeal during his ongoing Thank-You Visit to party leaders and stakeholders, which took him and members of his entourage to Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere Local Government Areas in Ogbomoso before proceeding to Oyo Federal Constituency.

Speaking at the Surulere Local Government premises in Ogbomoso, Ajadi thanked God for making the gathering possible and expressed appreciation to the chairmen of Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere, party leaders and supporters for their continued support.

He also commended his Director-General, Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda, for his commitment to the political project, while acknowledging the contributions of Hon. Ojo Sunday Makanjuola, popularly known as “Mr Project”; Hon. Ogundare Abideen Adeoye; and other candidates and stakeholders who attended the meeting.

Ajadi particularly appreciated the ward chairmen, youth leaders and women leaders for standing by him and his political project.

He appealed to any leader or member who might have grievances to put aside their differences and embrace peace in the collective interest of the party.

The senatorial candidate explained that the purpose of the visit was not to commence the formal campaign but to personally appreciate the people and political structures that had supported him before and after he accepted the APM senatorial ticket for Oyo Central.

The first leg of the visit attracted political leaders, council chairmen, candidates, women leaders, youths and other stakeholders from Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere Local Government Areas.

Among those present were the Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Hon. Adegbite Isaiah Alaba; Executive Chairman of Ogo-Oluwa Local Government, Hon. Oluwaseun Adesoye Ojo; APM House of Representatives candidate for Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency, Hon. Ojo Sunday Makanjuola; Assembly candidate, Hon. Ogundare Abideen Adeoye; Hon. Ebenezer Alawe; Hon. Alhaji Kabir Siyanbola; and other political leaders.

Leaders Seek Unity Ahead of 2027

Adegbite, while welcoming Ajadi and his entourage, thanked God for their safe arrival and said the people of the two local governments had been looking forward to receiving the senatorial candidate.

He described the engagement as a genuine Thank-You Visit and commended the large turnout of party members and supporters.

The Director-General of the Ajadi Campaign Organisation and Oyo State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda, also thanked God for the safe journey to Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere.

Sanda commended residents and party members from both local governments for their impressive turnout.

He extended greetings to the two council chairmen and acknowledged the presence of the House of Representatives candidate, Makanjuola, as well as other candidates and party leaders.

According to him, the turnout was significant because the party had yet to commence its official campaign, adding that the gathering demonstrated the strength of the party’s grassroots structure.

Sanda recalled the 2023 campaign in Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere, describing the turnout at the time as overwhelming and saying it contributed to Makanjuola’s electoral victory.

He challenged party members to reproduce the same level of mobilisation and performance in the 2027 elections.

Sanda explained that Ajadi embarked on the Thank-You Visit ahead of the formal campaign because he wanted to personally appreciate the people for the support they had given him.

He assured the people of Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere that Ajadi remained committed to representing their interests at the Senate if elected.

Sanda, however, used the occasion to address reported disagreements among some party leaders, appealing to stakeholders to reconcile and work together.

He warned that prolonged disagreements could affect the party’s prospects in the forthcoming elections.

He specifically appealed to the two council chairmen and other stakeholders to support efforts to resolve outstanding grievances and strengthen unity within the party.

Speaking on the political outlook, the Ogo-Oluwa Council Chairman, Hon. Oluwaseun Adesoye Ojo, expressed confidence that the political performance recorded in the area in 2023 would be repeated in 2027.

Also speaking, Hon. Ogundare Abideen Adeoye, the serving Assembly member for Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere and APM Assembly candidate, stressed the importance of justice and fairness in political organisation.

He urged party leaders to promote fairness, justice and inclusiveness in the interest of the party.

Makanjuola, the APM House of Representatives candidate for Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency, also responded to Sanda’s concerns over disagreements among some leaders.

He disclosed that a team had been constituted to work towards resolving the issues and restoring unity among stakeholders.

Ajadi Takes Thank-You Visit to Oyo Federal Constituency

Following the engagement in Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere, Ajadi, Sanda and other members of the entourage proceeded to Oyo Federal Constituency, comprising Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West Local Government Areas.

There, they met with prominent political leaders, candidates, women leaders, youth leaders and other stakeholders.

Among those present were former Senator Monsurat Olajumoke Sunmonu; Chief Sunday Ogunlade; Hon. Gbenga Joseph Oyekola, Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly and representative of Atiba State Constituency; Akin Alawode; APM House of Representatives candidate for Oyo Federal Constituency, Barrister Temilolu Nurudeen Seun Ashamu; and other party stakeholders.

Women and youth leaders from across the constituency also attended the engagement.

Sunmonu, while addressing the gathering, appreciated APM members for their support and commended Ajadi and his entourage for making the journey to Oyo.

She attributed part of the delay in the delegation’s arrival to the poor condition of the federal road leading to the area and expressed concern over the state of road infrastructure.

She questioned why, in her view, the incumbent senator had not done enough to address the condition of the roads or summon the Minister of Works to account for the situation.

Sunmonu also recalled Ajadi’s earlier visit to Oyo when he was aspiring for the governorship, noting that he subsequently accepted the senatorial ticket when it was offered to him.

She commended him for accepting the senatorial responsibility and urged party members to remain committed to the collective political project.

Chief Sunday Ogunlade called on eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces the commencement of the collection process.

He stressed the importance of voter participation and urged party supporters to prepare adequately for the 2027 elections.

Sanda, while addressing the Oyo gathering, commended Sunmonu for what he described as her firm commitment to the candidates and the party.

He said the delegation had come primarily to thank the people of Oyo Federal Constituency, adding that the level of support witnessed at the meeting exceeded the campaign team’s expectations.

He reiterated that the engagement was a Thank-You Visit and not the commencement of the official campaign.

Sanda said the visit was part of efforts to strengthen relationships with party leaders, stakeholders and supporters ahead of the 2027 elections.