A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and real estate mogul, Chief Olaitan Nurudeen Owoniyi, has officially hinted on his intention to contest for the Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Owoniyi, who is the Jaiyeoba of Igbajaland hinted on this development during a high-powered consultation tour to APC stakeholders, executives, and community leaders at his ancestral ward, Ile Agor, in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The consultation tour followed a high-profile visit to the palace of the Elese of Igbaja, His Royal Majesty, Oba Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Babalola Awuni Arepo III, where the aspirant sought royal blessings on Wednesday.
The monarch, while receiving the aspirant earlier, described leadership as a responsibility and service, rather than force.
During the stakeholders’ engagement on Friday, which commenced with opening prayers from Mallam Alamin, several party stalwarts took turns to pour encomiums on the aspirant citing similarities in the love for the community like his late father.
The APC Ward I Chairman, Alhaji Dawud Kola Afolabi; Ward II Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Asiwaju; and Ward III Chairman, Alhaji Kehinde Bayero, in their separate goodwill messages, described Owoniyi as a loyal party man with the requisite experience to offer quality representation.
Also speaking, a party stalwart, Alhaji Muhammad Shilo Awobimpe, and an elder statesman, Elder Saliu Yusuf Aje, noted that the aspirant was following in the footsteps of his late father, Alhaji Abdulrahman Owoniyi, the then Ajikobi of Igbajaland, who was a close associate of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. They noted his late father contributed greatly to the development of the community and beyond acknowledging that his contributions led to the victory of the then former Kwara Governor, late CO Adebayo and even the actualization of the 2019 Otoge political wave in Kwara State.
Addressing the gathering, Owoniyi, an alumnus of the University of Lagos and a Real Estate Broker stated that his ambition was driven by a desire to provide a voice for the voiceless.
He said, “Today is a defining moment. For too long, our people have waited for opportunities and leadership that truly listens. I stand before you today as a son and a brother who has built not just structures, but opportunities.
“If given the opportunity, I will stand in Abuja as a voice that will demand opportunities for our youths, attract investment, and prioritize security and economic growth. This is about purposeful leadership and results, not promises.”
He noted that despite not contesting for any elective office in the last 12 years, he had remained committed to the progress of the constituency through various behind-the-scenes interventions.
He added making his intention known at his ancestral ward before his official declaration coming up later has become necessary in order to beesech their blessings and support.
Other speakers at the event included a renowned community development advocate, Elder Oyin Zubair, and a youth representative, Aleshinloye Saheed, who both hinged their support on Owoniyi’s international exposure and professional pedigree in both the public and private sectors with Aleshinloye urging him to prioritize the needs of the youths and invest heavily in youth empowerment and human capital development when elected.
Pictures from the event;
