IBADAN NORTH COMMISSIONER FETES NASCENT MEMBER HOR; HON DON ,APPRECIATES HER PRINCIPAL FOR SHOWCASING TALENTS FROM IBADAN NORTH

The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. Toyin Balogun, has warmly congratulated Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle (DON) on his landslide victory in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election which took place yesterday

In a statement released by her media aide on Sunday, Hon. Toyin Balogun attributed the landslide victory which blindsided the opposition party APC primarily to the leadership acumen and strategic brilliance of His Excellency who not only navigated the stormy pre candidate emergence seamlessly with extraordinary finesse and panache which ensured that that the acrimonious fallout which bedevilled and left the APC camp distracted,incoherent,in shambles,in tatters and distracted till we coasted to victory was not replicated on our side

His Excellency also provided all the requisite support to all key stakeholders( candidate /leaders of the local govt)

His Excellency believed in the capacity of the leaders to deliver,their commitment to deliver on the mandate set before them and he also gave all the support required to deliver this brilliant coup

She also lauded the tenacity & commitment of the candidate Hon Fola Don to going through the demanding,strenuous,gruelling and demanding campaign,consultation schedules .

The Honorable Commissioner prayed that the Almighty imbue him with the capacity ,wisdom ,kniwledge and understanding from above to deliver outstandingly sterling representation beyond expectation for the benefit of all citizens of the Federal Constituency

She also celebrated the victory as a collective one forged by the commitment and resolve of rhe entire leadership structure of the Ibadan North Federal Constituency from the State Executive Council members to the House of Assemby representation to the various Board Chairmen,other appointees,Local Government Executive, Party leadership,all the other aspirants ,the candidate himself who went into the battle front as an indivisible entity united by a collective intentional commitment and resolve to bring the coveted trophy back to the PDP after 14 years in the House of Representatives wilderness and our leaders in the local govt ;His Excellency Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi ,Chief Ashipa Ismaila for their guidance and insights shared and all other leaders in the local govt

Non of the leaders of the local govt has had a good night’s sleep since the date of the bye elections was announced until yesternight

The recognition of contributors to this Grand Victory will be incomplete without an appreciation of my dear brother the Grand Officer Commanding( GOC); Otunba Adesheye Famojuro who worked tirelessly ,strategically behind the scenes to ensure yesterday’s victory,Chief Bayo Lawal for his fatherly insights,Otunba Famojuro,Barrister Tunde Tijani(Double T)& Alhaji Akeem Azeez,for supporting us to resolve the lingering Sabo challenge and the Distinguished Senator Monsurat Sunmonu who delivered the polling units within her ambits,the LG Campaign Council,Chief Dayo Ogungbenro,Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke,Pastor Popoola,Chief Will Ibitoye and Hon Micheal Ogunshina for all the support

Also worthy of note are Hon Fola’s co aspirants,you were all amazing.I especially appreciate Hon Lanre Sarumi and Hon Mathew Oteniyi for their outstanding team spirit and demonstrated committment to the attainment if this shared goal.

Also worthy of appreciation are the Right Honorable Speaker and all the present Honorable members of the House of Representatives members of the State Executive Council,members of the House of Assembly who all stepped into the fray who the Commissioner met as she traversed the 12 wards as she dropped food supplies for our Polling Agents & ensuring proceedings were going on as expected.

All are appreciated for supporting us tangibly,morally and even physically

Your labour of love is noted and appreciated deeply.

Hon( Mrs) Toyin Balogun also appreciates the teeming citizens of Ibadan North Federal Constituency who participated in the Ward meetings,local government meetings,House to House Campaigns sometimes under the rain and the election proper

Lastly,she appreciated all the elected and appointed female leaders viz; Hon Kemi Bello; National Ex Officio PDP,Hon Comforter Olajide,Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs,all female Councillors,female Supervisory Councillors,female Special Assistants ,Female Coordinators of GSM’23 Campaign,Ibadan North Women Leaders and female party leaders and stalwarts from the 33 local governments of the state; Yommy Dee Destiny,Mrs Mogbonjubola,Mrs Hameed Coiddinator of Blessed Widows Network,Magajiyah of Odogno Baracks,Mrs Mojisola Micheal and all other Iyalojas who accompanied the Honorable Commissioner on the Women’s Campaign for Hon Don which she led through the 12 Wards of the local govt on Saturday the 9th of August 2025

She stated and prayed that as you have all supported Hon Fola’s journey,may the Almighty raise men and women to also support your offspring to bring their visions and aspirations to fruition and may the benefits of democracy at both the Federal and State levels accrue to you all as well

This was a resounding,categoric victory which has sent clear signals to all naysayers that :

1.His Excellency GSM is not a Leader anyone can wish away

2.That the control of the Oyo State Political terrain is within the firm grasp of the PDP

3.That His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde is the Leader who holds the Aces when it comes to political control and direction of Oyo State

While again commending the Governor for leaving a legacy of competent leadership across Oyo State and the federal political stage, the Commissioner maintained that His Excellency is positioning the PDP for greater electoral successes in the future.

Hon. Balogun also expressed confidence that Hon. Oyekunle will serve the people with passion and purpose, further enhancing the development of citizens of Ibadan North Federal Constituency.

Finally, she congratulated the people of Ibadan North on reclaiming the federal constituency seat for the PDP, describing it as a significant and indelible milestone in the political history of the state.

Mrs Biodun Babalola
MEDIA AIDE TO THE HONORABLE COMMISSIONER FOR WOMEN AFFAIRS & SOCIAL INCLUSION