2027: Youth group makes U-turn on Sadipe as Oluyole OPC, Farai Movement declare public support for Olatunji’s Reps bid

The political realignment ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election in Oluyole Federal Constituency, Oyo State, has continued as the Oluyole chapter of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and the Farai Youths Movement Forum publicly declared support for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Engr. Akeem Olatunji.

This is coming amid renewed grassroots mobilisation by political groups and grassroots stakeholders in the constituency, with Olatunji being the APM candidate for the Oluyole Federal Constituency seat.

Recall that the Farai Youths Movement had earlier met with Hon. Sadipe at her party’s Oke-Ado office for political alignment.

The youth group has now distanced itself from the APC and Sadipe’s political aspiration, declaring it dead on arrival, while urging her not to waste the money she has made over the years on 2027.

Speaking at a public declaration event attended by political stakeholders in Ibadan on Wednesday, the Chairman of OPC in Oluyole Local Government, Mr. Akeem Balogun, said the people should support a representative who lives among them, understands their challenges and remains accessible to constituents.

Balogun said it would be difficult for the people to abandon “their own son” for someone who, according to him, does not live within the community.

He declared that the OPC in Oluyole had resolved to give its full support to Olatunji and all APM candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Balogun, who spoke on behalf of OPC members in the local government, assured the APM candidates that the organisation would work for their success at the polls.

The position by the OPC came alongside the public declaration of support by the leadership of Farai Youths Movement Forum, led by its President, Ayoade Omotola Amos; Financial Secretary/Treasurer, Famakinwa Joseph; and Speaker, Shodunke Oluseyi.

This latest political development has added to the series of political movements and endorsements around Olatunji’s candidacy in Oluyole in the past weeks.

In recent months, there have been series of defections and expressions of public support for the APM candidate from groups and individuals previously associated with the APC and supporters of the incumbent federal lawmaker, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.

Responding to the declaration, Olatunji thanked the OPC leadership and members for their confidence and support, assuring them that he would remain committed to the people and stand with the organisation whenever his support was needed.

The APM candidate also urged residents to consider candidates who live within the constituency and understand the realities confronting the people on daily basis.

He said his proximity to the grassroots has enabled him to better understand the needs of constituents which he said will ensure that the dividends of democracy reach communities across the federal constituency if elected.

According to Olatunji, accessibility should be a key consideration in choosing a representative because a lawmaker who lives among the people would be in a better position to identify their challenges and respond to them.

He further promised that his doors would remain open to everyone as it has always been, irrespective of status or background, if elected.

Olatunji said the welfare, development and interests of the people would remain his priority, adding that representation should be centred on direct engagement with constituents.

“The public display of confidence and support for my aspiration will further help us intensify the political contest in Oluyole as political parties and their candidates continue their mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“And with God and the people on our side, landslide victory is assured because we’re deeply grassroots and know exactly what should be done to develop Oluyole further than what we’re currently doing at the local government level,” Olatunji said.

The meeting was attended by Alhaji Wasiu Arewa, APM Vice Chairman, Oluyole Local Government; Hon. Mojeed Raji, APM Ward 07 Chairman; Hon. Oyepeju IkeOluwa, Supervisory Councillor for Works; and Hon. Olawumi Aduke, Special Adviser to the Chairman on Women Affairs.