A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has endorsed the senatorial ambition of the All Progressives Congress candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement came during a courtesy visit by the member representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency to Arapaja’s residence in Ibadan, where both politicians held discussions on the future of the APC and preparations for the 2027 polls.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Oseni’s Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, said the meeting focused on strengthening the party and mobilising support to ensure the APC records victory at all levels in the forthcoming elections.

According to the statement, Arapaja expressed confidence in the lawmaker’s capacity to represent the people of Oyo South in the Senate, describing his performance in the House of Representatives as evidence of purposeful and people-centred leadership.

He was quoted as saying, “Hon. Remi Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of his constituents through people-oriented projects and impactful representation. His performance in the House of Representatives gives me every confidence that he will deliver even greater results in the Senate.”

The former deputy governor also pledged his support for Oseni’s senatorial bid and promised to work towards the success of all APC candidates in the 2027 elections, from the presidential candidate to those contesting seats in the National Assembly and the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Arapaja further appealed to Nigerians, particularly people of the South-West, to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, saying continuity would enable the President to complete his constitutionally permitted two-term tenure.

“The South-West must remain united behind President Tinubu to enable him complete his constitutionally guaranteed eight-year tenure. We must also work collectively to ensure victory for our party at every level,” he said.

He also described Oseni as a humble, loyal and dependable politician whose consistent service had earned him the confidence of the people across Oyo South.

Also speaking, Mogaji Abass Oloko reaffirmed his support for Oseni’s senatorial aspiration and praised Arapaja’s enduring influence in Oyo politics, saying his relevance remained unquestionable because of his grassroots connection and longstanding relationship with the people.

Responding, Oseni thanked Arapaja for the warm reception, valuable counsel and endorsement, describing him as “a trusted ally, dependable leader and reliable teammate” whose support had further strengthened his resolve ahead of the 2027 elections.

The lawmaker recalled that their political relationship dated back to the period they both worked with former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and later collaborated in the political coalition that reshaped Oyo State’s political landscape in 2018.

Oseni reiterated that leadership should be anchored on integrity, trust and honour, adding that he remained committed to providing quality representation and expanding developmental initiatives across Oyo South if elected to the Senate in 2027.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Barr. Yemi Aderibigbe on his appointment as the Director-General of the Campaign Council of the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli.

Oseni described the appointment as well deserved, saying it was a recognition of Aderibigbe’s years of loyalty, dedication and invaluable contributions to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.

The lawmaker, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele.

The APC chieftain said Aderibigbe had consistently distinguished himself as a committed party stalwart, grassroots mobiliser and dependable administrator whose efforts had strengthened the APC across the state.

According to Oseni, the appointment was a testament to Aderibigbe’s competence, hard work and unwavering commitment to the ideals of the party.

“I heartily congratulate Barrister Yemi Aderibigbe on this well-deserved appointment as the Director-General of Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s Campaign Council. This is a call to greater service, and I have every confidence that you will justify the trust reposed in you,” Oseni said.

He added, “Your experience, leadership qualities and organisational skills will undoubtedly strengthen our campaign and further unite party members as we work towards securing victory for our great party in the governorship election.”

The federal lawmaker urged party leaders, members and supporters across Oyo State to rally behind the new campaign leadership and work together to ensure the APC records a resounding victory at the polls.

He also reaffirmed his unwavering support for Senator Alli’s governorship ambition, expressing optimism that the party would remain united and focused in its quest to win the election.

Before his latest appointment, Aderibigbe served as the Director-General of the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF), a political support group that coordinated grassroots mobilisation and political engagements for Engr. Aderemi Oseni across Oyo State.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, on Monday unveiled his governance blueprint, promising to strengthen local government administration, improve public education and healthcare, enhance security, and stimulate economic growth if elected governor.

Speaking at a programme tagged “A Day With BSA” held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Alli said his administration would focus on responsive leadership and sustainable development to deliver tangible benefits to residents across the state.

He described his vision as one built on prosperity, security and inclusive economic development, stressing that governance must be driven by the needs of the people.

A key feature of his blueprint is the full implementation of local government autonomy in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

According to him, granting councils greater operational independence will strengthen grassroots governance and enable them to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities, including agriculture, rural development, food production and community security.

To achieve this, the APC candidate pledged to restore statutory subventions and running grants to local government councils, saying the move would enable them to rehabilitate rural roads, strengthen neighbourhood watch and vigilante groups, and execute projects that directly impact their communities.

“Development is more meaningful when it begins from the grassroots. Local governments must be empowered to serve the people effectively and respond to their immediate needs,” he said.

On education, Alli promised sweeping reforms across the primary, secondary and tertiary levels to improve learning standards and restore confidence in the public school system.

He said consultants currently managing tertiary institutions would be disengaged, while governing councils would be allowed to function strictly in line with their enabling laws.

He also pledged to recruit more teachers, reduce class sizes to about 30 pupils, upgrade school infrastructure and restore school subventions to improve teaching and learning.

The APC standard-bearer further promised to revive school farms in rural communities and establish technical colleges across the state’s three senatorial districts to equip young people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

Speaking on agriculture, Alli said his administration would establish commodity boards, provide farmers with tractors, fertilisers and modern farm implements, and support increased food production across the state.

He added that cottage industries would be encouraged to process agricultural produce locally, while guaranteed off-takers would be introduced to create employment opportunities for young agripreneurs and reduce post-harvest losses.

On healthcare, the governorship hopeful promised to ensure that every ward has a functional primary healthcare centre, while every local government area would have a well-equipped general hospital.

He also pledged to recruit more doctors and other healthcare professionals to improve access to quality medical services for residents.

Alli said security would remain a major priority under his administration, promising better welfare packages, operational vehicles and modern equipment for neighbourhood watch personnel and vigilante groups.

He also vowed to accelerate road rehabilitation and expand access to potable water in both urban and rural communities, noting that schools, hospitals, markets and other public institutions would benefit from improved water infrastructure.

The APC candidate further promised greater support for artisans, traders, market associations and other business groups to encourage entrepreneurship, promote peaceful coexistence and stimulate economic activities across the state.

He assured civil servants that salaries would be paid on or before the 25th of every month, while regular recruitment and continuous training would be prioritised to improve productivity in the public service.

He also pledged prompt payment of pensions and gratuities and promised to restore the 13th-month salary for workers.

In the area of sports development, Alli said his administration would revive grassroots competitions, build standard stadiums in the state’s six geopolitical zones and provide stronger support for Shooting Stars Sports Club and other football teams in Oyo State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Oyo State, Akeem Abas, said the union remained non-partisan and was providing a platform for all governorship candidates to present their programmes and vision for the state. He added that the initiative was aimed at giving residents the opportunity to understand the candidates’ plans and make informed choices during the election.

The event was attended by the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adesoji Adedeji; the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo; members of the party’s state executive committee, other party leaders and a large number of supporters.