Leaders and stakeholders of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) grand in Oluyole Federal Constituency have held a joint strategic meeting to fine-tune plans for the successful outing of the party in the forthcoming local government elections and the 2027 general election.
The meeting, held on Tuesday at the Oluyole Local Government Secretariat, Idi Ayunre, had in attendance party leaders, ward executives and key stakeholders, who resolved to strengthen internal cohesion and deepen internal unity while ensuring a coordinated approach to candidate selection ahead of the elections.
A major highlight of the meeting was the warning against unauthorized meetings in some wards to nominate councillorship candidates.
The stakeholders declared that such gatherings were illegal and would not be recognised by the party leadership.
They maintained that the process for selecting councillorship candidates would be coordinated through the officially recognised stakeholders’ structure, adding that directives on the exercise would be communicated to all wards at the appropriate time.
Speaking, the Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government and APM House of Representatives candidate in the 2027 elections, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, commended leaders and stakeholders for their commitments towards the party.
He emphasized the importance of grassroots mobilization ahead of the forthcoming elections and urged stakeholders to intensify efforts in propagating the unprecedented achievements of the party at all levels to the people.
He acknowledged that opposition have resorted to political blackmail and false propaganda as a tool to advance their course noting that such move was born out of the fact that they have no serious points to discredit the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the state.
He assured that the PDP/APM alliance has continued to grow stronger by consolidating on the gains of transformative leadership and good governance in the state and local government.
He vowed to ensure sustenance of the inclusiveness and cohesive approach in both the forthcoming election and governance, while also promising that nobody will be left behind in the scheme of things within the party.
Earlier, Chairman of the PDP/APM Alliance in Oluyole, Alhaji Nasiru Hamzat, distanced himself from what he described as any “kangaroo” process aimed at producing councillorship candidates.
Hamzat urged party faithful to remain patient and await official directives from the leadership, stressing that unity and discipline remained essential to securing victory for the alliance in both the December local government election and the 2027 general election.
Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Depo Oyedokun, commended the convener, the Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government and APM House of Representatives candidate in the 2027 elections, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, for initiating the meeting at what he described as a critical period.
He expressed confidence and optimism about Olatunji’s political aspirations in 2027 and noted that Oluyole would have benefited more if it simultaneously had a serving Local Government Chairman and a serving member of the House of Representatives.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), Dr. Gbola Adetunji, called on party members to remain united and committed to the collective interest of the party.
According to him, the growth of any political party depends not only on financial strength but also on the commitment, character and selfless service of its members.
He encouraged stakeholders to continue supporting Governor Seyi Makinde while working together to consolidate the party’s achievements in the federal constituency.
Similarly, a party chieftain, Arc. Salam Azeez emphasized the need for peace and harmony within the party, saying the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to build consensus rather than create divisions.
He explained that lessons from previous political experiences informed the decision to centralise the councillorship nomination process, warning that any ward conducting an exercise without stakeholders’ approval would be acting outside the agreed guidelines.
Azeez assured party members that official directives regarding the nomination process would be communicated to all wards in due course.
Among those in attendance were former Commissioner, Engr. Ayuba Balogun; Chairman of the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Alhaji Babalola Afobaje; former PDP Chairman in Oluyole Local Government, Alhaji Adegbola Mukaila; Chairman of the Oyo State Education Trust Fund, Barr. Abdul Raheem Abdul Rahmon; former Caretaker Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. Kehinde Abore; immediate past Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. Popoola Olaide; Vice Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. Niyi Akorede.
Others were Oyo State PMS Treasurer, Hon. Kamorudeen Idowu; former Caretaker Chairman of Akorede LCDA, Hon. Wahab Kazeem, as well as ward chairmen, local government party executives and other stakeholders.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to maintain party unity, uphold due process in candidate selection and intensify mobilisation ahead of the campaign flag-off for the December local government election and the 2027 general election.
