2027: Look for your votes elsewhere, Oluyole is a no go area– APM Reps candidate, Olatunji declares

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency in the coming 2027 general election, Akeem Olatunji, has declared that opposition parties seeking electoral victories in the constituency should “look elsewhere” for votes.

This was as he insisted that Oluyole has been politically secured for Governor Seyi Makinde and candidates aligned with his political structure in the state.

Olatunji, who is also the Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, made the declaration on Friday in Ibadan against the backdrop of recent political developments in the constituency, including a series of defections, grassroots mobilisations and the growing collaboration between leaders of the APM and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area.

The APM standard-bearer for the green chamber of the national assembly said the political momentum currently being witnessed across Oluyole Federal Constituency was a reflection of widespread acceptance of Governor Makinde's leadership style, developmental projects and people-oriented policies.

According to him, residents of the constituency across all socio strata have resolved to sustain the governor's political legacy beyond 2027 by ensuring overwhelming support for candidates identified with his vision for Oyo State.

“Those in the opposition should begin to look for their votes elsewhere because Oluyole is on lockdown for Governor Seyi Makinde and all candidates who represent the continuity of his developmental agenda on the platform of the APM,” Olatunji said.

He argued that the governor's investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and economic development had significantly altered the political equation in favour of the ruling political tendency in the state.

His comments come amid intensified political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with several political actors across Oyo State already positioning themselves for various elective offices.

In recent weeks, leaders of the APM and PDP in Oluyole Federal Constituency have repeatedly held joint meetings and mobilisation exercises, pledging to work together toward securing victory in future elections.

The alliance has consistently maintained that the constituency remains firmly behind Governor Makinde and his political philosophy.

Consequently, scores of defectors from opposition parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Accord, on Thursday dumped their former parties to officially align with the APM in the federal constituency.

Speaking further, Olatunji pointed to the growing influx of defectors from opposition parties into the APM and allied political structures within the constituency as evidence of increasing confidence in the Makinde led administration.

He noted that the governor's political influence has continued to expand beyond party boundaries, attracting support from stakeholders who, according to him, are more interested in governance outcomes than partisan affiliations.

“The people have seen what good governance looks like. They have witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development and deliberate investments in human capital.

"What we are seeing today is a movement driven by performance and credibility and Seyi Makinde, has grown beyond a name into a mass political movement of citizens seeking to reclaim Nigeria for Nigerians,” he stated.

The APM candidate maintained that his ambition to represent Oluyole Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives is rooted in a desire to complement the achievements already recorded at the state level through effective legislative representation and constituency-focused interventions that visibly attract federal presence to the grassroots.

He assured constituents that if elected, he would prioritise youth empowerment, economic opportunities, improved social infrastructure and enhanced federal presence across various communities in the constituency.

Olatunji expressed optimism and confidence that Oluyole Federal Constituency will emerge as one of the key political spots in the build-up to the 2027 elections, particularly given its strategic importance within Ibadan and its history of competitive electoral contests.

Olatunji further expressed confidence that the prevailing political mood in the constituency has continued to favour candidates aligned with Governor Makinde, noting that the opposition would face an uphill task convincing voters to abandon what he described as a successful governance model.

“As far as Oluyole is concerned, the people have made up their minds and this is already evident in recent political development in our federal constituency.

"The support base continues to grow daily, and by 2027, the outcome will reflect the confidence our people have in Governor Makinde's leadership and those committed to sustaining his achievements and legacy,” he added.