Former Deputy National Chairman South of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has called on residents of Oyo South Senatorial District to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the district, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, citing his outstanding legislative record and interventions across the district.
Arapaja made the call on Tuesday at a political engagement organised by the United Like-Minds Forum at the David Family International Christian Centre, Felele, Ibadan.
The former deputy governor said the lawmaker’s interventions in legislative activities , infrastructure, education, water, healthcare, empowerment and other areas in his constituency demonstrated his commitment to improving the welfare of his people. He urged voters in Oyo South to consider Oseni’s record of service as they make their choice at the poll.
Arapaja, who recently defected from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to the APC, said Oseni’s interventions in his Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency provided evidence of what he described as his commitment to the welfare of his constituents.
He specifically mentioned the lawmaker’s empowerment initiatives, including the distribution of N1m each to 100 youths Entrepreneurs as well as the provision of transformers, water, bridges to communities across the federal constituency, saying the interventions had touched the lives of ordinary residents.
“Hon. Remi Oseni’s performance demonstrates what is possible when elected representatives make the welfare of their constituents a priority. If he can do this as a House of Representatives member, he will do even more as a Senator,” Arapaja said.
Arapaja urged the people of Oyo South to support Oseni’s bid to represent the district at the Senate, expressing confidence that his experience in the House and understanding of grassroots issues would be useful in the upper chamber.
He also declared support for the APC governorship candidate in the state, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, whom he described as an experienced grassroots politician with an understanding of the political and developmental needs of Oyo State.
Arapaja further called on Oyo residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, citing ongoing federal infrastructure interventions in the state, particularly road projects being implemented and repairs through the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) whose House committee is chaired by Oseni.
The former deputy governor revisited the political discussions that preceded the 2023 governorship election, alleging that an understanding reached with sections of the Muslim community over the succession to Governor Seyi Makinde had not been honoured. He subsequently warned against what he described as an attempt to establish political dominance by an individual or group.
“We all kicked against godfatherism in Oyo State. We cannot now allow anyone to turn himself into an emperor in Oyo State. The people must remain the ultimate owners of the state. Oyo State belongs to all of us, not to one man,” Arapaja said.
Responding, Oseni thanked the political leaders and supporters for their confidence in his senatorial ambition and pledged that, if elected, he would remain committed to people-centred representation. He said he would build on his existing interventions and ensure that the interests and welfare of the people of Oyo South remained central to his legislative responsibilities.
The host of the programme, Pastor Ayodele Eleko, appreciated the political leaders, religious leaders and supporters who attended the engagement and urged APC members to remain united and committed ahead of the 2027 elections.
