*Ibarapakan Seeks Traditional Rulers’ Backing for Second Term Bid, 2027 APM Candidates in Oyo State*

As part of preparations to formally declare his intention to seek re-election in 2027, member representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Hon. Dr. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, met with traditional rulers across the constituency, where he sought their royal blessings and support for his second-term ambition and the electoral success of Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, which held at the palace of the Olu of Igbo-Ora, brought together monarchs from the five principal communities of Igbo-Ora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan.

Addressing the traditional rulers, Hon. Adepoju expressed appreciation for their show of support since his election in 2023, describing their encouragement and prayers as instrumental to his achievements in the National Assembly over the last three years.

The Ibarapa-born lawmaker cum technocrat urged the monarchs to continue supporting the government of the state, especially the aspiration of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde for President, Hon. Abimbola Adekambi for Governor, Hon. Dirkullahi Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo for Oyo South Senatorial District, himself for a second term in the House of Representatives and Hon. Lateef Adebare Akorede for the Oyo State House of Assembly seat representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North State Constituency.

“I have come to seek your royal blessings. I want you to support me and see me as your own son. I know other candidates will still come here because traditional rulers do not play partisan politics, but what I am seeking is in the hands of God, yourselves and the people of Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North,” he said.

Hon. Adepoju used the opportunity to highlight his numerous achievements since assuming office, particularly in the area of employment facilitation, youth empowerment, infrastructure development such as road, lawn and basketball courts, new library, classrooms in every community etc

Explaining the process behind job placements facilitated by his office, Ibarapakan said opportunities were distributed equitably based on qualifications and availability.

According to him, if beneficiaries from a particular community do not possess the qualifications required by a federal agency, another qualified candidate from a different community within the constituency is considered to avoid losing such opportunities. He noted that where no qualified candidate exists within the constituency, he extends such opportunities to colleagues in the National Assembly from other parts of Oyo State and beyond as part of a strategic legislative relationship that ultimately benefits his constituents.

“I have facilitated opportunities for people in even beyond Ibarapa land, when we could not find anybody that qualified for the opportunity here. Legislative assignment is about building strong and mutually beneficial relationships that can eventually bring more benefits back home,” he said.

The candidate of the APM for Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency in the 2027 election disclosed that his office had established a digital database platform for job seekers within the constituency, saying the initiative has been incredibly successful as the platform has simplified the process of identifying qualified graduates whenever vacancies emerge.

The lawmaker apologised to anyone he might have offended in the course of discharging his legislative responsibilities. He appealed for unity, assuring constituents who had yet to benefit from his programmes that their opportunities would come in due time.

“Many of these opportunities come with limited application windows, sometimes within 30 minutes or one hour. This platform has enabled us to respond quickly without running after candidates.

“Those who have not received anything today will receive more tomorrow if we continue to work together for the progress of our constituency,” he remarked.

Ibarapakan also lamented the absence of budgetary allocations for constituency projects since 2024, noting that many local contractors across the country were facing severe challenges due to delays and funding constraints from the Federal Government.

He, however, maintained that his constituency remained a pacesetter in employment facilitation as no constituency in Oyo State has had the opportunity to facilitate job opportunities like Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North in the last three years, attributing the feat to God and the support of constituents in the two local government areas of Oyo State.

The federal lawmaker described his first term performance as evidence that being a first-time legislator does not equate to political inactivity and if given another opportunity the harvest of progress and development in our constituency will be enormous.

“It is not easy for a first-timer, but we have proved that being a first-timer goes beyond being a benchwarmer. We are proud of what we have achieved, including what we have been able to do for our teenagers with the One-Day Rep initiative which has endeared the nation and the world at large to us as people who value the future of our young children,” he said.

Speaking on electricity challenges in the constituency, the lawmaker expressed concern over the persistent power situation despite Oyo State producing the Minister of Power and his membership of the House Committee on Power.

“There can be no meaningful discussion about development without addressing electricity. It breaks my heart every day that despite having a Minister of Power from Oyo State and being a member of the power committee, the situation remains unresolved.

“However, I have done what a lawmaker is expected to do regarding our electricity challenges and I believe that once the Federal Government fully implements those interventions, the situation will improve significantly,” he said.

He added that the extension of the implementation period for the 2025 budget to September 30, 2026 would determine the fate of several intervention projects earmarked for the constituency, adding that despite federal government’s failure to implement its budgets since 2024, he had been able to facilitate numerous projects that cut across every community in his constituency.

Speaking at the meeting, the Asingangan of Igangan Land commended the executive Governor of Oyo state; His Excellency, Engr. Oluwaseyi Makinde for the progress so far in Oyo state and Hon. Adepoju for being a lawmaker with a difference. Asingangan described it as unusual for politicians to defect from one political platform to another and still retain the loyalty of their members and supporters as seen in APM in Oyo State.

The royal fathers, in their separate remarks, unanimously offered prayers for all the candidates of the APM seeking elective offices in 2027, praying for wisdom, good health, divine guidance and success in their political aspirations.

In attendance were the Olu of Igbo-Ora, the Asigangan of Igangan, the Onidere of Idere, the Olu Aso of Iberekodo, the Baba Aso of Iberekodo Igbole, the Onisagaun of Sagaun, the Elempe of Tapa, the Asawo of Ayete, the Onidofin of Idofin, the APM Chairman in Ibarapa Central, Hon. Alphonso Ayoola, Hon, Hon. Gbade Akinlolu, Hon. Sola Fakorede, Hon. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Orisadeyi, Hon. Lateef Adebare Akorede, Executive Chairman of Ibarapa North, Hon. Rasheed Babarinde, Executive Vice Chairman of Ibarapa Central, Hon. Bisi Akande, Executive Vice Chairman, Ibarapa North, Elder Olanrele Kolawole (Greatmother), Hon. Remi Ayoade, Hon. Rasheed Okunlola, Mr. Taye Obey, Hon. Tunde Adegbenjo, Hon. Ademola Adekunle, Hon. Okesooto Biliaminu, Hon. Sarafa Babarinde, Baba Ohio, Pa Aderogba, Pa Sango, among others.

Hassan Adesodi Olaoniye
Special Adviser to Hon. Adebayo Adepoju
(Media and Publicity)
June 23, 2026