…Supports Oyekalu Group with ₦1 Million
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for the Oyo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Hon. Barr. Temilolu Nurudeen Ashamu, popularly known as Seun Ashamu, has intensified his grassroots campaign with engagements in Irewole and Folorunso communities in Mogaji, Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo State, where residents presented their developmental challenges and appealed for urgent interventions.
The engagements, held yesterday, Saturday, October 10, 2026, also featured Senator Monsurat Olajumoke Sunmonu and provided an opportunity for community members to outline their needs in electricity, healthcare, education, road infrastructure, employment, and access to the electoral process.
During the visits, Sunmonu donated ₦5.5 million to each of the two communities, comprising ₦5 million for community needs and ₦500,000 for refreshments for attendees. She also pledged additional support towards addressing some of the challenges raised by the residents.
Speaking during the engagements, the Director-General of the Seun Ashamu Campaign, Hon. Sakiru Ojo, described the community visits as part of the candidate’s commitment to inclusive representation and direct engagement with the electorate ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ojo urged residents to openly identify the challenges affecting their communities, stressing that understanding the people’s needs was essential to developing practical solutions and promoting meaningful development.
He explained that Ashamu’s proposed representation would focus on fresh ideas, productive legislation, constructive engagement with relevant government institutions, and efforts to attract development projects to the constituency.
At Irewole/Irepo Community, residents presented several requests, including the provision of a borehole, reconstruction of a bridge to improve movement, installation of a modern electricity transformer, establishment of a maternity centre, creation of a polling unit, and employment opportunities for qualified graduates from the community.
The residents also commended Ashamu’s record in public service, particularly his previous roles as commissioner responsible for energy and mineral resources, environment and natural resources, as well as budget and economic planning under the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
They expressed hope that his experience in government would translate into improved infrastructure and better living conditions if he secured election to the House of Representatives.
Responding, Ashamu assured the residents of his commitment to quality representation, job creation and efforts to attract federal government projects to the constituency. He said he would leverage his experience and engage relevant authorities to secure opportunities capable of improving the welfare of his constituents.
The candidate also referred to employment opportunities secured for Oyo indigenes through his previous engagements, promising to pursue more opportunities if elected. However, figures cited during the campaign referenced 280 beneficiaries.
At Folorunso Community in Mogaji, residents raised further concerns about the condition of their roads, electricity supply, access to healthcare and educational facilities, as well as the absence of a polling unit within their community.
Speaking through their representatives, Baba Ifaponmile Onifade, Comrade Dauda Kamil and Mrs. Tawakalitu Kamarise, the residents appealed for road rehabilitation, dredging of a river to ease movement, provision of a borehole and installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve security and support commercial activities.
They also called for the construction of additional classrooms to improve access to education, explaining that some children had to travel considerable distances to attend school. They appealed for more support towards educational development, citing previous interventions by Senator Sunmonu and Hon. Gbenga Oyekola.
The community further requested a modern healthcare centre to provide residents with access to basic medical services, stating that land was available for the proposed facility.
On electricity, the residents disclosed that members of the community had contributed money towards purchasing and installing their existing transformer. They appealed for a modern 500KVA transformer to improve electricity supply and support domestic and commercial activities.
The residents also expressed concern over the alleged absence of a designated polling unit in their community, saying the situation had created difficulties for eligible voters seeking to participate in elections. They called on the relevant authorities to address the matter and ensure easier access to the electoral process.
The community members expressed confidence in the APM candidates across different levels of government and pledged to mobilise support for the party in the 2027 elections.
In his response, Ashamu promised to work towards addressing the concerns raised by the residents through appropriate channels and collaboration with relevant authorities. He reiterated his commitment to infrastructure development, employment generation and people-oriented representation.
Addressing the electricity challenge, he promised to facilitate the provision of a high-tension cable for the community’s transformer, assuring residents that efforts would be made to deliver on the commitment promptly.
He also promised pilgrimage support for a youth representative, while urging the residents to support his candidacy through the electoral process.
Ashamu further educated the electorate on the voting procedure for the National Assembly elections and the subsequent elections for governor and members of the State House of Assembly. He encouraged residents to exercise their civic responsibilities and make informed decisions at the polls.
The candidate assured the community that he would not disappoint them if elected to the Green Chamber, promising to prioritise the interests of his constituents and pursue initiatives capable of attracting development to the constituency.
Sunmonu, who also addressed the residents, reaffirmed her commitment to community development and said she was familiar with some of the challenges confronting the area. She urged residents to continue engaging their representatives and to assess political claims critically.
The former Speaker and Senator also promised to facilitate transportation for residents to their respective polling units on election day to ease movement and encourage participation in the electoral process.
During the engagement, Sunmonu responded to comments circulating on social media concerning allegations that local government funds were being used for election campaigns. She urged residents to examine political claims carefully and remain discerning in their assessment of political developments ahead of the 2027 elections.
The campaign train subsequently visited a group associated with Surveyor Rasheed Oyekalu, where members expressed support for Ashamu’s candidacy.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Oyekalu commended Sunmonu for attending the gathering and stated that the group’s support for Ashamu was based on the members’ collective acceptance of his emergence as the APM candidate.
He expressed confidence in the candidate’s prospects in the forthcoming election and urged members to intensify their mobilisation efforts to secure victory for the party.
In response, Sunmonu donated ₦1 million to the group and encouraged its members to strengthen their grassroots campaign activities ahead of the elections.
The series of engagements highlighted the campaign’s focus on direct interaction with communities and grassroots organisations as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the residents expressed appreciation for the donations and outlined their expectations, their requests centred on practical interventions that would improve access to electricity, healthcare, education, roads, employment and essential public services.
As the election approaches, the ability of candidates to demonstrate credible plans, maintain engagement with their constituents, and translate campaign commitments into measurable development outcomes is expected to remain an important consideration for voters in Oyo Federal Constituency.
