The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Pharmacist Olayide Abas, has appealed to voters in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency to reaffirm their commitment to good governance by supporting the party’s candidate, Mr. Adewale Olatunji, in the forthcoming by-election.
Abas made the appeal on Monday at the party’s state secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, while receiving Olatunji, who visited the party headquarters to present his Certificate of Return from the APC national secretariat as the party’s flagbearer for the August 16 by-election.
The APC chairman, while addressing party members and supporters who thronged the secretariat, described Olatunji, popularly known as Murphy, as a passionate and experienced progressive who is prepared to surpass the legacies of the late lawmaker, Prince Olaide Akinremi.
“In Ibadan North, we have a sophisticated set of voters who value the best. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, they have tested representatives from both the APC and PDP. The records clearly show that only those elected from the progressive parties — AD, ACN and APC — performed beyond expectations,” Abas said.
He added, “Our departed hero, Prince Olaide Akinremi (Jagaban), raised the bar of quality representation at the National Assembly. His death in 2024 is a painful loss, but we are confident that Adewale Olatunji will continue from where he stopped — and even do better. He is capable and ready to serve.”
Abas warned constituents against being swayed by what he described as “deceitful political players” seeking to foist a weak opposition candidate on the people.
“Ibadan North is too strategic to be handed over to someone who will be voiceless on the floor of the House of Representatives simply because he belongs to the opposition,” he stated.
In his remarks, Olatunji promised to unite all party stakeholders ahead of the election. He said the mandate could only be achieved if the party presents a united front.
“I shall be a servant to all, including party faithful and constituents, in addition to being an active member of the National Assembly if elected,” Olatunji said.
He recalled his previous attempt to represent the constituency in 2003, noting that although he was allegedly rigged out by the PDP, he remained committed to serving the people.
“An opportunity is here again, and we must work together to actualize this dream in the interest of all and sundry,” he added.
