As political activities continue to build ahead of the 2027 general elections in Oyo State, Barr. Akeem Agbaje, two-time gubernatorial aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reaffirmed his commitment to a new brand of politics, one that is rooted in the people and rewards genuine loyalty with lasting impact on livelihoods.
Speaking last week during a strategic engagement with party stakeholders, community leaders, and youth representatives, Barr. Agbaje made it clear that politics must evolve from the old pattern of promises and tokenism into a system that empowers and uplifts. He noted that the average loyalist of the party deserves more than crumbs or seasonal patronage but should be intentionally included in the development agenda based on their individual capacities.
“For far too long, our loyal party men and women, those who labour tirelessly for our victory, are remembered only at election time and forgotten soon after. That cycle must end.”
“The politics I believe in will empower our people according to their skills and capacities, whether in farming, poultry, value chain supplies, or rural enterprise development. It must be a politics that delivers value and dignity.”
The scion of Agbaje la’yeye emphasized that party loyalty must not be viewed as a one-way obligation, but a mutual commitment that deserves recognition and reward. According to him, it is not enough to demand loyalty without providing real opportunities for advancement, especially for those who have shown unwavering support for the APC over the years.
“Loyalty should never be a burden. It should be a badge of honour. And that honour must reflect in how we govern, how we design empowerment programmes, and how we treat those who have given so much to the party.”
Drawing from his lifelong residence in Oyo State and deep relationships across its communities, the Ibadan-born legal luminary stated that true governance must come from a place of understanding. He explained that it takes someone who has grown with and among the people to fully comprehend their challenges and propose fitting solutions.
“I am not coming to guess the problems of our people. I have lived them. I know where it pinches them. I have walked their streets, interacted with their youth, and shared time with their elders and rural farmers. My accessibility and native knowledge of the state are leadership assets that give me the leverage to act decisively,” he said.
He stressed that welfarism must be systemic and that governance should be intentional about improving the lives of party loyalists and ordinary citizens. He explained that under his leadership, government projects would be structured to engage the strengths of party faithful across agriculture, trade, local industries, and value-chain development. He also stated that his administration would build structures that reward loyalty and promote collective prosperity rather than individual gains.
“I believe in a politics that is built on trust and partnership. The kind of politics that transforms lives, not just wins elections. We must move from politics of use and dump to politics that sustains livelihoods and uplifts communities.”
With increasing grassroots support and a growing reputation for integrity and people-first leadership, Barr. Akeem Agbaje’s message of intentional empowerment, inclusive development, and mutual party loyalty continues to strike a chord among APC faithful and the wider electorate in Oyo State.
