Christian leaders and stakeholders drawn from the nine local government areas of Oyo South Senatorial District, under the auspices of the Odidiomo Imole Vanguard, have expressed support for the senatorial ambition of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) candidate, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide Odidiomo, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The expression of support came during a stakeholders’ engagement involving Christian representatives from across the senatorial district, including representatives of the five blocs of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The meeting provided an opportunity for Odidiomo to interact directly with Christian stakeholders on his political aspiration, record in public office and proposed agenda for the Oyo South Senatorial District.

Speaking at the gathering, Odidiomo highlighted the role of Christians and faith-based organisations in promoting peaceful coexistence, moral values, education, community development and responsible leadership.

The APM senatorial candidate said his aspiration was not based on religious considerations, stressing that his objective was to provide representation that would accommodate people of different faiths, backgrounds and communities across the nine local government areas of the district.

Odidiomo said his relationship with the Christian community had been built over time and was not limited to the 2027 political season.

He maintained that public office should be used to unite people and address issues affecting their welfare irrespective of religious affiliation.

According to him, “I am an advocate of peaceful coexistence among all religions. I believe Christians and Muslims should work together, live together and build a better society together. Leadership should not be about dividing people along religious lines but about bringing everybody together.”

The lawmaker solicited the support of members of the Christian community for his senatorial aspiration, assuring the stakeholders that, if elected, he would remain accessible and responsive to the interests of people across the district.

He said his proposed representation would focus on human capital development, education, technology, employment, healthcare, infrastructure and economic opportunities.

Odidiomo added that the interests of both Christian and Muslim communities would be accommodated in his approach to representation.

He also highlighted his support for Christian religious activities, noting that some of his interventions had been directed towards supporting people of different faiths.

According to him, he had facilitated the participation of Christians from the district in holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem, while also supporting members of the Muslim community undertaking religious pilgrimage.

He disclosed that another 10 Christians had been shortlisted for the next pilgrimage as part of the support being extended to members of the Christian community.

Odidiomo said the gesture was not intended to create religious preference, but to demonstrate his belief that elected representatives should respect and support the religious identities and legitimate interests of the people they represent.

He said, “I am an advocate of peaceful coexistence among all religions. I will continue to support both Christians and Muslims because everybody deserves to be carried along.”

Responding, the Christian stakeholders at the gathering expressed support for the Odidiomo campaign and pledged to communicate his senatorial agenda to their respective communities.

They said the engagement provided an opportunity to hear directly from the candidate and gain a better understanding of his priorities for the Oyo South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 election.