…Declare Senate Bid a Collective Mission
Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo Central Senatorial District have rallied support for the senatorial ambition of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olaleye Olasunkanmi, as the party held its first senatorial meeting following the 2025 congress.
The meeting, presided over by the Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Oludayo Opatokun, brought together party leaders, executives and stakeholders across the district.
In his address, Opatokun said the newly constituted senatorial executive committee comprises individuals of impeccable character with deep knowledge of party discipline and experience.
He urged members to remain committed to the leadership of Seyi Makinde, stressing the need for unity and loyalty within the party.
He also welcomed Barrister Olaleye, who attended the meeting to formally declare his intention to contest the Oyo Central senatorial seat.
Declaring his ambition, Olasunkanmi described his bid as a collective assignment rather than a personal project.
“This is a party errand, not a personal ambition. I remain committed to the ideals and progress of our great party,” he said.
He noted that his 33 years’ experience as a legal practitioner gives him an edge, particularly in lawmaking and interpretation.
“My background in law places me in a strong position to effectively represent the people of Oyo Central in the Senate,” he added.
Olasunkanmi further described himself as a committed party man, revealing that he was instrumental in establishing the PDP in Surulere Local Government in 1998.
He pledged unwavering loyalty to the party, saying, “I will always place the party first in all circumstances.”
Highlighting his public service record, he said he had served in several capacities, including Chairman of the Land Allocation Committee in 2006 and Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission between 2007 and 2011.
He added that under the Makinde administration, he had served as Commissioner for Establishment and Training; Education, Science and Technology; Trade, Industry and Investment; Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; and currently Agriculture and Rural Development.
According to him, the breadth of his experience across ministries has equipped him to provide effective representation.
In his goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Hon. Mufutau Ogunremi, described Olasunkanmi as a loyal party stalwart with strong respect for party structure.
“He is accessible and dependable. He represents the fresh direction the party and the senatorial district require at this critical time,” he said.
Similarly, the State Secretary of the party, Hon. Oyeyemi Oyelami, said Olasunkanmi’s track record speaks for itself.
“He is known for putting the party first and delivering on every assignment. We are confident he will not disappoint in service delivery or in bringing democratic dividends to the people,” he said.
The State Organising Secretary, Alhaja Wulemotu Ibitoye, urged the aspirant to remain steadfast in his principles.
“You must continue to uphold the Omoluabi ethos for which you are known,” she said, while also calling for greater recognition and reward for women in the party.
“Women remain the backbone of electioneering efforts, yet their contributions are often underappreciated,” she added.
Also speaking, the chairman of PDP local government chairmen, Hon. Falowo, said the time had come for experienced politicians to take leadership positions.
He urged Olasunkanmi to sustain his efforts in strengthening the party’s structure.
Party chairmen from Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere Local Government Areas noted that Olasunkanmi’s contributions had been pivotal to the survival and stability of the PDP in their areas, particularly in challenging times.
In his vote of thanks, the State Legal Adviser, Barrister Idris Durosaro, commended Olasunkanmi for formally declaring his ambition within the party framework. He urged other aspirants to follow suit rather than making declarations on social media.
Durosaro also advised the aspirant to consult widely across the eleven local government areas of the senatorial district, including engaging with the party’s overall leader in the state, Governor Makinde.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to growth and good governance, stating that the PDP would continue to prioritise quality service delivery and present credible, people-centred candidates.
Dignitaries present at the meeting included the State Secretary, Hon. Oyeyemi Oyelami; State Financial Secretary, Alhaji Mufutau Ogunremi; Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Oludayo Opatokun; State Organising Secretary, Alhaja Wulemotu Ibitoye; State Legal Adviser, Barrister Idris Durosaro; State Ex-officio, Barrister Waheed Gbadegesin; Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Oluyinka Moses Tella; local government party chairmen, members of the senatorial executive committee, and other stakeholders.
