The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its readiness to reclaim political ground in Ondo State, insisting that the party has undergone a process of rebuilding and emerged stronger, more organised and better prepared to present its candidates to the electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hon. Babatunde Emmanuel Faro, the PDP candidate contesting for the Akure North and South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, made the declaration during a media parley at the Ondo State Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure, where he outlined his party’s renewed political ambitions and promised a different approach to legislative representation.
Faro, who expressed confidence in the capacity of the PDP to compete effectively in the forthcoming elections, said the party had recovered from a period of political difficulty and was now prepared to present its candidates and policy proposals to the people.
According to him, the party’s renewed determination, the quality of its candidates and the growing commitment of its members provide a basis for its anticipated political comeback.
“The PDP is stronger than ever. We have come back from death; we have rebuilt our party, and we are fully ready to sell our aspirations. Akure is a very unique and urban place,” Faro said.
He argued that the political expectations of Akure residents required candidates with the competence, commitment and practical ideas necessary to respond to the needs of an increasingly urban constituency.
Faro maintained that the PDP’s candidates were not merely seeking elective offices for personal political advancement but were prepared to pursue a form of representation that prioritises accessibility, accountability, development and sustained engagement with constituents.
“The desire and commitment here is more than ever, and we have some of the best candidates that you can see around in terms of quality. I want to assure you that these are not regular politicians; they have all it takes to move Akure forward,” he said.
Faro Promises Accessible and Accountable Representation
A major feature of Faro’s proposed legislative agenda is the establishment of functional constituency offices designed to provide residents with accessible channels for presenting complaints, seeking assistance and communicating their development priorities to their elected representatives.
He said the offices would serve as practical links between the people and their representatives, rather than existing merely as political structures without meaningful engagement with the electorate.
The PDP candidate also promised to institutionalise quarterly town hall meetings, through which constituents would receive periodic reports on legislative activities and constituency interventions while having opportunities to communicate their concerns and assess the performance of their representatives.
According to Faro, the arrangement would create a more transparent system of representation by ensuring that communication between elected officials and the electorate continues beyond election campaigns.
“We are promising a different kind of representation. We are making a commitment to our people by virtue of functional constituency offices to respond to our people and have quarterly town halls for our people to give them periodic feedback and also collect from them. Our doors, offices and houses will be open to all the constituents,” he said.
The proposal, if implemented, would provide a framework for regular interaction between constituents and their representatives, potentially improving public access to legislative activities and creating opportunities for residents to influence constituency priorities.
His emphasis on open access and periodic feedback also reflects a broader demand for political accountability, particularly among voters who expect elected officials to remain accessible after securing electoral mandates.
Faro Advocates Free Education, ₦100 Million Constituency Endowment Fund
Beyond legislative accessibility, Faro identified education and community-based financial support as important components of his development agenda, expressing support for free education across Ondo State.
He advocated a collaborative approach involving the state government, the World Bank and other relevant stakeholders to develop and support an education framework capable of expanding access to learning.
The proposal places education at the centre of his development vision, with the candidate indicating that partnerships with development institutions and other stakeholders would be necessary to pursue the objective.
However, details concerning the proposed implementation framework, funding arrangements, coverage and responsibilities of the different partners were not provided during the remarks available from the media parley.
Faro also proposed the establishment of a ₦100 million constituency endowment fund, which he presented as part of his commitment to addressing the needs of the constituency.
The proposed fund could become a vehicle for supporting community-focused interventions, depending on its eventual structure, eligibility criteria, funding sources and management arrangements. Further clarification would be required to determine how the fund would be administered, the beneficiaries it would target and the mechanisms that would ensure transparency and accountability.
Nevertheless, the announcement added an economic and social intervention component to Faro’s broader campaign message, which combines accessible representation with education and constituency development.
Patrick Promises a New Approach to Representation in Akure South I
Also speaking at the media parley, Hon. Kehinde Patrick, who is contesting for the Akure South I State Constituency seat in the Ondo State House of Assembly on the PDP platform, said his political experience and observations over the years had convinced him of the need for a different approach to representation.
Patrick said he had witnessed both the positive and negative aspects of political leadership over the past 29 years and believed that the time had come for a more accessible, responsive and people-oriented model of governance.
“I have seen the good and the bad that our leaders have done for the past 29 years in politics. I am bringing a new form of representation to Akure, which is an open-door policy. I am going to be a listener who understands his people and wants progress for his constituents,” he said.
He presented the open-door policy as a defining feature of his proposed representation, promising to listen to residents and place their concerns at the centre of his legislative responsibilities.
Patrick’s remarks suggest an emphasis on consultation and responsiveness, with the candidate positioning himself as someone willing to engage directly with constituents rather than maintain distance from the people he seeks to represent.
His challenge, should he secure the mandate, would be to translate the promise of accessibility into measurable legislative initiatives, effective constituency engagement and practical interventions that address the needs of residents across Akure South I.
Adekanbi Rejects Rubber-Stamp Legislature, Promises Youth-Centred Development
Similarly, Adekanbi Oluwaseun, the PDP candidate contesting for the Akure South II State Constituency seat in the Ondo State House of Assembly, called for a legislature that would be more proactive in pursuing development and representing the interests of the people.
Adekanbi argued that the next set of lawmakers should distinguish themselves through constructive engagement, independent thinking and a willingness to champion policies that respond to the development needs of their constituencies.
He expressed concern that other parts of the South-West were advancing in different areas of development while Ondo State needed a renewed commitment to progress.
“These new House of Assembly members will be different, not a rubber stamp. Ondo needs new development. Across the South-West, people are moving fast, but ours is different. If we are given the mandate, we will partner with the youth and relevant stakeholders to facilitate development,” he said.
His rejection of a rubber-stamp legislature signals an intention to present the Assembly as an institution that should exercise its constitutional responsibilities, scrutinise government policies and contribute actively to development rather than simply endorse executive decisions.
Adekanbi also emphasised collaboration with young people and relevant stakeholders, identifying them as important participants in the process of developing solutions to the state’s challenges.
The proposed approach suggests a focus on inclusive policymaking, with youth engagement serving as a potential avenue for identifying employment opportunities, supporting enterprise, improving community participation and advancing initiatives that reflect the priorities of younger residents.
However, the specific legislative measures, programmes and partnerships through which these objectives would be pursued remain to be articulated in greater detail.
