APC Leaders Eulogise Ajakaye As He Embarks on Thank-you Visit to Kwara LGs

• Candidate solicits constituents’ vote, pledges quality representation Kwara APC candidate for Ifelodun/ Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, on Wednesday toured Offa and Oyun Local Governments on a ‘thank you’ visit, acknowledging the support and active roles of party faithful during the last primaries. Accompanied by the Chairman of Ifelodun LGA, Hon Femi Yusuf, a member of the Local Government Service Commission, Mrs Olabimpe Elizabeth Abiola, party chairman in Ifelodun, Babatunde Surajudeen Bola, and many other party chieftains, Ajakaye was warmly received in the two communities by members of the state House of Assembly, council chairmen, top party chieftains, religious leaders, and various support groups. Starting in Offa, the team rounded off the tour in Ilemona, Oyun LGA. Addressing supporters in Offa and Oyun, Dr Ajakaye said he owed the people a depth of gratitude for supporting his pick and for their belief in his capacity to represent their interests at the green chamber. He promised to serve their interests well, and make himself accessible at the time of need. “We are here today for three to four reasons. But the most important one is to thank again and again the people of Offa and Oyun Local Governments for the support they have given to me,” he told reporters Wednesday evening on the sideline of the visit. “I am here to show my gratitude and reassure them that I will be their son both in words and actions. I will do everything possible to ensure that I do not disappoint them, and to justify the confidence they reposed in me as a candidate of the APC. Like I have told them, if I am elected I will be their ‘Aṣoju réré’, meaning a true representative. I will be there because of them. I will be there to deliver their messages on the national stage. “You can hear from them the assurances that it is the APC they are supporting from the president down to House of Assembly members. So, we are grateful to them.” Hon. Yusuf, who recalled their pre-primaries engagements with the people of Offa, where they sought their support in respect of the green chamber ticket, appreciated them for acceding to their request. He specifically commended them for being practical about their ancestral eulogy (Oríki) – “Laare, buure, ikan Ogbodo jukan nile Olofa Mojo” that literally points to their firm belief in equity, fairness and justice. “Our visit today is to thank you, for we know the worth of your support and the confidence you repose in our party candidate, Dr Ajakaye, who is your son and brother from Ifelodun,” the chairman said. “I recalled our earlier visit to seek your support, two months ago. It is interesting to note that you have played your own role by abiding by the party’s decision on rotation of the House of Reps ticket to Ifelodun for their turn. We cherish this, and we have come to appreciate you.” Calling Ajakaye a man of God who is versed in the doctrine of Islam that places a high premium on good governance, Yusuf assured the people that the candidate possesses a can-do spirit and will make a difference when elected. “This is a payback period. As you all know, Ifelodun has paid its due in favour of Offa and Oyun for the past years. It will not be unfair if both local governments pay back by electing a House of Reps’ candidate from the former,” Yusuf told supporters in Oyun. Chairman Offa LGA, Hon. Suleiman Olatunji Omituntun, said Offa people have made up their minds and are ready to give the APC their 100% vote come 2027. “Let’s have no fear about Dr Ajakaye. He is tested and trusted. None of you is oblivious of the wonderful roles he played for the government and our party. And I am sure, he will never drop the ball,” he said ìn Offa. “Our vote is not going to be divided. We are determined to cast our vote massively for Dr Ajakaye and other APC candidates. Because we know this will benefit us greatly.” For his part, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke, a top APC chieftain ìn Offa, appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the leaders of the party to consider the people of the community for juicy posts or appointments in the coming dispensation, considering their known voting strength and patterns. He called Ajakaye a founding member of APC that deserves every support to succeed, promising that the community has the capacity to deliver more than 150,000 votes for APC. “My people from Ifelodun, mark my words today, we will deliver for your son and other APC candidates in Offa,” he declared. “Talking about our candidate, Dr Rafiu Ajakaye, I have known him as a well-bred pressman as far back as the early stage of our Oto’oge struggle. I even saved his phone number with a Lagos reporter. His service for the party at that time was more or less free, because we didn’t even have money to pay him. He devoted most of his write-ups to protect us from any persecution.” Hon. Seun Oguniyi, a member representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency at the House of Assembly, said Ajakaye is renowned for good character, due diligence, and a service delivery in his previous office, requesting all constituents to entrust him with their mandate. Hon. Abdulwaheed Gbenga Yussuf (JK), from Essa/Shawo/Igboidun Constituency, said he has no doubt that Offa people will deliver for APC, and tasked Ajakaye and other party candidates not to let the people down when elected. APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Alhaji Olawale, said Offa community will not be disappointed in choosing Ajakaye, judging from his character and record of service, and pleaded with the party members to vote for him and other APC candidates. He called for good representation and a fair share of dividends of democracy for the constituents in Offa. Also speaking, Hon. AGF Salaudeen, a House of Assembly member representing Omupo Constituency, said he was not surprised that Offa conceded the House of Reps’ ticket to Ifelodun LGA, saying the people of Offa have always believed in equity, fairness and justice. He described Ajakaye as a highly cultured and generous public servant. While in Oyun, Deputy Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly representing Odo-Ogun Constituency (Oyun), Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, said the emergence of Ajakaye as candidate is a reflection that good character cannot go unnoticed, alluding to how he stood for the party from inception. “In Oyun, PDP or other opposition parties are not existent. Our people are voting for APC,” he said. Chairman Oyun Local Government, Hon. Akanbi Kamar Olarewaju, said Oyun’s people are more organized, and usually speak with one voice, and will replicate that for the ruling APC come 2027. He said they have long resolved to replace their son, Hon. Ismaila Tijani, the serving House of Representatives member, who he noted has performed below their expectations. The council chairman assured Ajakaye and other APC candidates of the electoral support of the people of Oyun, while also charging party members to redouble their efforts on door-to-door campaigns. Mr Adewoye Mikael Kayode, APC Chairman in Oyun, said Ajakaye is “a very straightforward person”, who always walks his talks. He advised him not to abandon his constituents and indeed the party structure, right from the ward to local government level. https://meet.google.com/call?authuser=0&hl=en&mc=KAIwAZoBFDoScGludG9fbXNjdXVmYm44N2I3ogE3MgJQADoCEAFKBAgBEAFaAggAagIIAXICCAF6AggCiAEBkgECEAGaAQQYASAAogECEADiAQIIALIBBxgDIAAqATDCAQIgAdgBAQ&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com&iilm=1788416814990