Intense Interest For The Former Seat of Hon. Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Increases

Sequel to the appointment of Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as the Minister of Interior, there has been intense lobbying and political scheming to replace him at the National Assembly.

Report from BABATOPE OKEOWO on those that are jostling for the House of Representatives seat for Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency

Since the appointment of Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as a Minister of Interior by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, politicians across the major political parties in Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency have shown interest in succeeding him at the National Assembly.

Politicians drawn from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been moving around to canvass for support for their ambition.

Breaking the Jinx

For the first time since the beginning of the present political dispensation, Tunji-Ojo was reelected as a member of House of Representatives for a second term in office. This is contrary to the zoning arrangement in the Federal Constituency consisting of Akoko Northeast and Northwest Local Governments. He was said to have performed creditable well to deserve reelection. Sequel to his appointment as a Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbass declared the seat of Tunji-Ojo that represented Akoko North- east/Northwest federal constituency vacant, giving room for others to contest the seat.

The reelection of Tunji-Ojo was the first time since the beginning of the present political dispensation in 1999 when a member of the House of Representatives from Akoko North would get reelected for a second term in office. Between 1999 and 2003, Hon Busari Dada from Akoko Northeast Local Government was elected on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) into the National Assembly. He was replaced by Prince Lanre Adeyemi from Irun-Akoko in the Akoko Northwest council area.

He lost his reelection bid even though the Alliance for Democracy (AD) gave him a return ticket for a second term. Adeyemi was defeated by Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, who represented the federal constituency between 2007 and 2011. Efforts by Elegbeleye to get reelected also failed even though he got the ticket of the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Elegbeleye was defeated by Ganny Dauda of the Labour Party (LP) from the Akoko Northwest Local Government.

Aware of the zoning arrangement, Dauda, who was in the National Assembly between 2011 and 2015 did not seek reelection. Dauda paved the way for Hon Stephen Olemija from Ikare-Akoko in Akoko Northeast Local Government Area between 2015 and 2019, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Although Olemija wanted to seek reelection on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), he was defeated by Tunji-Ojo, who was in the National Assembly between 2019 and 2023, breaking the jinx of reelection in the Federal Constituency.

The aspirants from the two major political parties; the PDP and APC are pushing for separate arguments on which local gov- ernment should present the candidate to replace Tunji-Ojo in the National Assembly. At the last count, Sunday Telegraph gathered that more than 20 aspirants have declared interest in the race between the APC and the PDP. They are from the two local government areas.

Among those who have shown interest in the two Local Governments are Dr. Princess Adeyinka Bello Olarinmoye, Chief Muyiwa Asagun, Hon Olumide Olugbenga Araoyinbo, Alhaji Olanrewaju Kazeem, Jamiu Adeshina Haruna, among others.

These aspirants have been lobbying both the leadership of their parties in the state while others are looking for the endorsement of Tunji-Ojo, who some claimed has the right to chose his successor. The aspirants have also got endorsements of some groups who were clamouring for them.

Dr. Princess Adeyinka Bello-Olarinmoye

She hails from Ogbagi, Akoko. A Senior lecturer at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos. She is a staunch member of the APC and has held several positions in both Lagos and Ondo States.

A female activist, Dr. Bello-Olarinmoye holds a PHD in antropology from the University of Ibadan. She had earlier obtained her B.SC and Masters in the same discipline from the University. In 1999, she joined the AD in the Ilasamaja area of Mushin, Lagos and has been a dedicated member of the political party every since.

Below are promises made by her to the people of Akoko Northeast & Northwest Federal constituency:

“Today, I stand before you as a woman committed to the cause of liberation and a representative of the people of Akoko Northeast and Northwest. “LIBERATION” and let us be clear about what we aim to liberate.

• => Access To Quality and Good Representation: ensuring that the concerns of our people in Akoko Northwest and Northwest Federal constituency will be heard and acted upon.
• => Access to Quality Education: As an Educationist, I will ensure that there are programs that will enhance the quality of learning and provides excellent learning opportunities for our children as I will strive to liberate the minds and futures of our children in Akoko Northwest and Northwest Federal Constituency.
• => Female Voice: We believe in the power of women’s voices. Our campaign embodies the spirit of liberation for women, empowering them to take their rightful place in decision-making processes.
• => Quality Community Engagement: I pledge to work hand in hand with community leaders to understand and address the challenges our faced by our communities. Together, we will find appropriate measures to ensure progress for all.
• =>21st Century Innovation: I envision a Northwest and Northwest Akoko Federal Constituency that embraces 21st-century innovation. From technology to sustainable development, I will represent you with modern solutions that reflect the needs of our time.
• But remember, liberation is not achieved by one person alone. It’s a collective effort. Together, we can break free from the shackles that limit our potential. Together, we can build a brighter future for Akoko Northwest and Northwest Federal Constituency. Join me in this comradic journey towards liberation, where no one is left behind, and our voices resound with strength and unity. Thank you, and let’s work together for a liberated Akoko Northeast and Northwest Federal Constituency.” She Concluded.

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