~ Says it’s a party errand not personal
The People’s Democratic Party in Oyo Central Senatorial District has held its first meeting after their emergence in the 2025 congress.
In his welcome address, Hon. Oludayo Opatokun said the new senatorial executive committee comprises people with impeccable characters, deep knowledge of party discipline and experience.
He urged both the members of the Executive Committee and party members to continue to believe in the leadership of Engr Seyi Makinde.
He also welcomed the arrival of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olaleye Olasunkanmi who also graced the meeting to declare his senatorial ambition.
Barrister Olaleye while declaring his senatorial bid, said he has been a reputable lawyer for 33 years, a move he described as an added advantage to his bid if allowed to represent the people of Oyo Central Senatorial District, as his background in law interpretation makes him a suitable candidate for the senatorial district.
He described himself as a complete party man who has continued to play his part in the progress of the Party.
He revealed that he brought the PDP into Surulere Local Government in 1998.
He also made it known that he would be the senator for the party and he would always place the party first and ahead of every other thing.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development said he is not new to public service as he has served in different capacities, such as the Chairman of the Land Allocation Committee in 2006, and Chairman of Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission between 2007 and 2011.
The PDP chieftain who is considered a nomadic public servant said that since the inception of Engr Seyi Makinde-led administration, he has 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
He said his experience in the ministries he has served afforded him the needed experience to get better representation for the people as experiences gathered across these ministries make him a better aspirant ahead of others
In his goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs, Hon. Mufutau Ogunremi described Barrister Olaleye as a complete party man who has a lot of regard for party establishment and structure. He said Olaleye is a man who is accessible at all times to the people.
He said Olaleye represents fresh air that the party and the senatorial district need at this critical time as his experience and expertise will bring the needed representation to the people of the senatorial district.
While also giving his goodwill message, the State Secretary of the Party, Hon. Oyeyemi Oyelami said that Barrister Olaleye’s antecedent has preceded him as he is well-known for putting the party first and also delivering on the mandate of his office.
He prayed that his aspiration would come to fruition as he has shown that he would not let the party down both in service delivery and bringing the dividends of democracy to the people.
The State Organising Secretary, Chief Mrs Wulemotu Ibitoye urged Barrister Olaleye to continue being a good ambassador of the party he has always been. She charged him not to deviate from his Omoluabi ethos which he is known for.
She pleaded for women to be taken care of more than they currently are as they are the army who are used for electioneering work but their rewards are not commensurate with the work and energy they put in.
The chairman of all the PDP local government chairmen, Hon. Falowo said it is the turn of politicians who know what it takes to win elections to take the mantle of leadership.
He further charged him not to relent in his efforts to take care of the party as this continues to put the party on the path of winning.
In their remarks, the Ogo-oluwa and Surulere Local Government Party chairmen said the roles Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye has been playing in both local government areas are the reasons the PDP has not died, as his leadership roles in the two local government areas have provided stability in the face of hostility and adversity.
While giving the vote of thanks, the State Legal Adviser of the Party, Barrister Idris Durosaro said the Party in the Senatorial District appreciated the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development for choosing the path of the Party to declare his ambition whole also noting his aspiration.
He urged other aspirants to emulate Barrister Olaleye who has declared his ambition with the Party and not on social media.
He also charged him to meet other critical stakeholders across the eleven local government areas of the senatorial district and particularly the overall leader of the Party in the State, Governor Seyi Makinde.
He also appreciated the commitment of the party members towards the party’s growth and support towards the Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State Government, promising that the party will continue to do right by the people through excellent presentation, quality service delivery and people-centred candidates.
Present at the meeting were State Vice Chairman double as Senatorial Chairman; Hon Oludayo Opatokun, State Secretary of the Party, Hon. Oyeyemi Oyelami; State Financial Secretary, Alhaji Mufutau Ogunremi; State Organising Secretary, Alhaja Wulemotu Ibitoye; the State Legal Adviser, Barrister Idris Durosayo; State Ex officio, Barrister Waheed Gbadegesin; Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Oluyinka Moses Tella, and other members of the senatorial executive and local government party chairmen across the senatorial district.
Part of his entourage includes; Hon Abideen Adeoye Ogundare, member Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere State Constituency, leader of the Legislative Arm of Surulere Local Government and amongst others.
