Rep Tunji Olawuyi, member representing Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke-ero federal constituency of Kwara has hosted Irepodun Local Government, All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders where he indicated his intention to run for the 2023 Senatorial seat of Kwara South.
The lawmaker made this known at a Get-together of the APC stakeholders on Friday in Omu-Aran, the headquarters of the LGA.
He noted that the LGA had not produced a Senator since it was removed from the old Irepodun, adding that it was time for the LGA to unite and produce a capable senator that would represent their interest at the upper house.
He stated that he had been inundated with calls from other LGAs, saying Irepodun should be the next to produce Senator while the House of Representatives should go to other LGAs.
He said that the political landscape of Kwara had changed, adding that Irepodun LGA should be asking where she was headed in 2023.
The lawmaker said that if Irepodun give him the privilege to contest the senate seat, he would not hesitate to heed their call.
“If the opportunity comes as people have been saying that Irepodun should produce Kwara South senate, I am making myself available, I seek your support and endorsement for this position.
“I promise a quality representative and intervention in the constituency, i don’t want us to see this as a personal project but a collective decision.,” he said.
.Speaking, Prince Shuaib Olarewaju, one of the stakeholders said that the Get-together presented an opportunity for leaders of APC in the LGA to re-examine the party’s unity and correct the mistake of the past and focus on the future.
“Contenders for the Senatorial seat from other LGA will come and test our unity of purpose, they will meet with leaders in our LGA but is it possible to speak with one voice,” he asked.
Olarewaju however said that with unity and honesty, it was possible for the party to speak with one voice.
He said that there had been painful experiences in the part in the LGA, adding that leaders’ interpersonal relationship will keep the unity of the party.
He appealed to party faithful to absorb the pain in order to be a partaker of the success ahead, adding that leaders should ensure it operated a collective leadership.
The President of Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA), Maj Gen Lasisi Abidoye, noted that he would be a happy man if the LGA produce a senator, while calling for support for the lawmaker.
“Olawuyi has done a lot, people call me from outside as the President of Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA) to attest to his performance. We should support him,” he said.
Mr Raheem Adedoyin, also an APC stalwart in Irepodun said Gov. AbdulRahaman AbdulRasaq always told him that the Igbomina people are so determined about their Senatorial quest.
He said that though a lot of aspirants had been visiting him, but added that wherever the party leaders go is where he would go, adding that there was need to sit down and strategise.
He said that the lawmaker had done a lot in his ward as the people’s representative, stressing that he would usually consult him before citing any project in his ward.
Hon Olayemi Oyebanji, the APC Kwara South Chairman stated that if God had sanctioned his ambition no one would upturn it.
He said that in politics there are usually bitterness, bickering and infighting, adding that if it is the will of God the lawmaker’s ambition would be a reality.
Mrs Toyin Opawoye, an APC leader said that women constituted the bulk of voters, stressing that the women folks were ready to support his ambition.
She said that the lawmaker’s ambition would be a realty, adding that where the people of Irepodun LGA is going is where the women would go.
Mr Samuel Odeyemi, the chairman of all the APC ward chairmen said that they would throw their weight behind Olawuyi in his quest to represent Kwara South at the upper house.