By Salam Saheed
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, has expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in the 2027 general election, declaring that the APC is well-positioned to secure victory in Oke-Ogun and Oyo State at large.
The Oke-Ogun-born politician, who made this known in a chat with ITV Online on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, attributed his optimism to what he described as the growing political cohesion among critical stakeholders across the zone, insisting that the emerging unity within the party was a significant indication of its preparedness for the forthcoming electoral contest.
Rauf Olaniyan maintained that political leaders and stakeholders across the Oke-Ogun geopolitical zone had closed ranks and demonstrated renewed commitment to working together, expressing the belief that such a collective disposition would strengthen the party’s electoral fortunes.
He further described the support being mobilised for the APC and its candidates across the zone as overwhelming and unequivocal, expressing confidence that the party would enjoy considerable backing from the electorate.
According to him, the political disposition of the people across the 10 LGS that constitute Oke-Ogun reflects growing dissatisfaction with the performance of the main opposition party, which he alleged had failed to demonstrate the capacity to deliver meaningful dividends of democracy to the people.
Speaking further on the anticipated benefits of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid, Olaniyan, who serves as the Presidential Campaign Council’s South-West Zonal Coordinator for the Agro-Allied Sector, described Oke-Ogun as a predominantly agrarian zone with enormous agricultural potential and significant prospects for economic transformation.
He maintained that the region stood to benefit substantially from the continuation of the Tinubu administration, particularly in the areas of agricultural development, infrastructure and improved economic opportunities for farming communities.
The former deputy governor also acknowledged the recent attention given to road infrastructure across Oke-Ogun by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government, describing improved road connectivity as a significant development for an agrarian region whose economic activities depend largely on the movement of agricultural produce, farm inputs and other commodities.
He noted that improved road networks would facilitate the transportation of agricultural products, enhance commercial activities, strengthen rural-urban connectivity and create an enabling environment for greater investments in the agricultural value chain.
Olaniyan, however, urged residents of the zone to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in the exercise of their democratic rights, stressing that the ballot remained the most legitimate instrument through which citizens could effect political change.
He consequently charged the electorate to come out en masse during the elections and use their votes to determine the leadership they desire, rather than resorting to violence or other undemocratic means of expressing political grievances.
The APC chieftain expressed optimism that sustained political cooperation among stakeholders, coupled with the support of the electorate and the anticipated benefits of the Federal Government’s policies and infrastructure interventions, would strengthen the party’s position as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.