By Adeleke Maria Hon. Olayinka Oladimeji (Segelu), the son of the murdered House of Representatives member Chief Akintola Oladimeji (Segelu), has announced his plan to run for governor of Oyo State in the 2027 general elections as a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The young and vibrant Olayinka Segelu revealed his plans during a media parley at his Monatan home in Ibadan on Wednesday. He disclosed that his political career is not a matter of chance but is driven by the legacy of his late father, with the goal of making a significant impact on the community. Hon. Segelu, who said that his mission is to consolidate on the achievements recorded by the present administration in the state under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, appreciated the governor for creating an enabling environment for the youth to play an active role in the political setting of the state. The former Personal Assistant to the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, described the governor as a man of honour whose style of leadership is worthy of emulation, having demonstrated a strong belief in the ability of youth to lead the state come 2027 with the age limit set for his successor. Hon. Olayinka disclosed that the age limit, his commitment to the party, (PDP) coupled with his political experience as an appointee in the National Assembly, as well as his international connections and exposure have positioned him as the most qualified person to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027. The youthful Segelu, who is a graduate of Political Science and International Relations, said that his government will prioritize agriculture, infrastructure, economic advancement, health, social welfare, transportation, and human capacity development, which are all in line with the agenda of the present administration in the state. “My life has been shaped by profound experiences, including the loss of my father—a man who dedicated his life to serving our people. His legacy inspires me to follow in his footsteps and make a meaningful impact in our communities. “I may not be the wealthiest or the most experienced candidate, but my youth and determination equip me to tackle the challenges ahead. I am committed to building upon the foundation laid by the current administration under our leader, Engr. Seyi Makinde. “With my educational background in political science and diverse professional experience in sectors like ICT, engineering, and agriculture, I am uniquely positioned to lead Oyo State into a new era of prosperity. “My time as a political appointee in the National Assembly, Abuja has provided me with invaluable insights, fueling my passion for effective governance. “My vision for Oyo State is a mission—to prioritize agriculture, infrastructure, economic advancement, health, social welfare, transportation, and human capacity development. I aim to establish robust institutions that empower our people and foster independence from federal allocations. “Security of life and property and social welfare are very important and will be key parts of my agenda. This is because what they did to my father I will not allow such to happen to other people under my watch. You will notice that when we were facing security challenges in Oyo State and in the entire South West, our governors came together and established Amotekun and this has been helping us in the fight against insecurity. In Oyo State, we will continue on the trend, we will consolidate on the efforts of the government of Engr. Seyi Makinde to ensure that our people continue to enjoy peace in the state. “In terms of economic prosperity, one major area that I will concentrate on is agriculture, which Governor Seyi Makinde has performed wonderfully. One of the achievements is Fasola Farm, we will also consolidate on that to ensure food security in the state.” Ho. Olayinka Segelu called for the support of the youth, women, leaders, members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the media practitioners to support his ambition. “As we embark on this journey together, I want to emphasize the importance of unity, purpose, and transformation for our beloved Oyo State. “Let’s build a narrative of hope, empowerment, and progress together. I look forward to collaborating with each of you as we strive for a better tomorrow for our people,” Hon. Olayinka Oladimeji Segelu said.
