The ancient town of Offa was agog on Wednesday as thousands of residents, community stakeholders, and party faithful trooped out en masse to accord a grand welcome to their son, Honorable Seun Ogunniyi Adato, following his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Governorship Candidate for the 2027 Kwara State elections.
The historic homecoming featured a massive solidarity rally that took off from the Offa Eid Praying Ground through major city streets down to the palace of the Olofa of Offa, His Royal Majesty Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II. Support groups lined the routes with party banners, singing and chanting praises of Adato, Speaker Yakubu Danladi, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the ruling APC.
The colorful procession culminated at the Olofa’s palace, drawing a high-powered gathering of dignitaries. Among those present to rejoice with Hon. Adato were the Kwara APC House of Representatives Candidate for Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, Dr. Rafiu Ajakaye; Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminat Ahmed El-Imam; APC Chieftain and former Kwara State House of Assembly Leader, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke; Offa APC Chairman, Hon. Adegboye Kunle Papa; alongside serving House of Assembly members and party candidates across Offa Local Government Area.
Delivering the welcome address at the palace, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke expressed deep gratitude to Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, praising his political wisdom and commitment to inclusiveness.
“Our deepest appreciation goes to Executive Governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for doing the right thing at the right time,” Hon. Oyeleke said.
“Selecting an Offa son as the Deputy Governorship candidate addresses our collective aspirations. Though detractors may downplay our political weight out of envy, Offa stands united. We are here today to seek the royal blessings of our revered Kabiyesi, the Olofa of Offa, as we prepare to launch our campaign.” He added.
Corroborating his remarks, Offa APC Local Government Chairman, Hon. Adegboye Kunle Papa, stressed the importance of traditional consultation before embarking on state-wide political engagements.
“Hon. Seun Ogunniyi Adato is a true son of Offa who respects heritage and traditional authority,” Hon. Kunle Papa added.
“He was selected out of thousands to serve as the APC Deputy Governorship candidate. To ensure a successful campaign and ultimate victory in 2027, we have brought him before his father, the Olofa of Offa, to receive royal blessings.” He added.
Responding to the delegation, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for administering Kwara State on the pillars of equity, fairness, and justice, declaring that the Governor’s administrative legacies must be sustained. The monarch formally declared his royal endorsement and prayers for Adato’s ticket.
“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s legacies of fairness, justice, and equity in Kwara State must continue,” said Olofa.
“For this reason, I give my full support and royal blessings to our son, Hon. Seun Ogunniyi Adato, for the 2027 APC mandate.” He added.
Addressing the royal court and supporters, Hon. Seun Ogunniyi Adato solicited the monarch’s continued fatherly guidance and pledged to dedicate his office to driving sustained economic growth, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment across Offa and Kwara State at large if victorious in 2027.
He concluded the event by offering profound thanks to traditional leaders, party chieftains, political loyalists, and the people of Offa for the warm reception and unwavering support.