Okuyiga Advances Strategic 2027 Reps Bid, Anchors Campaign on Legislative Record, Grassroots Strength, Gender Inclusion

 By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti

Hon. Adeteju Okuyiga, a calculated and grassroots-driven legislator with a reputation for accessibility and policy focus, has formally declared her intention to contest the Ekiti South Federal Constituency II seat in the House of Representatives in 2027 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Her declaration signals not just an electoral ambition, but a strategic bid to transition from subnational lawmaking to the federal stage, leveraging her experience within the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

Framing her aspiration within a broader governance narrative, Okuyiga presented herself as a competence-oriented and reform-minded politician, anchoring her candidacy on legislative effectiveness, constituency engagement, and the urgent need for gender inclusion in Nigeria’s federal legislature. She positioned her entry into the race as both a continuation of her public service trajectory and a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between political promises and tangible socio-economic outcomes.

Okuyiga, who currently represents Gbonyin/Aiyekire Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, used the declaration to underscore her identity as a continuity candidate with verifiable grassroots impact. With a tone that blended confidence and pragmatism, she argued that effective representation remains the institutional link between campaign rhetoric and measurable development.

Addressing party leaders, stakeholders, and women groups in Aisegba-Ekiti, the poised and politically assertive aspirant emphasized the strategic value of responsive governance in consolidating democratic dividends. “I stand before you with clarity of purpose to seek your support and endorsement,” she said, projecting both conviction and readiness.

She explained that her political evolution has been shaped by consistent engagement with constituents and a results-driven legislative approach, describing herself as both visible and accountable.

"Over the years, I have remained visible and accessible within my constituency. I have initiated and supported projects that promote both my personal mandate and the ideals of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC). My political leaders, ward executives, and stakeholders across the constituency can attest to my consistency, accessibility, and grassroots impact."

Her entry into the contest introduces a significant gender dimension, with observers noting that her candidacy could recalibrate discourse around female political participation in Ekiti State, particularly in a landscape historically dominated by male actors.

Okuyiga described her decision to seek elevation to the National Assembly as timely and strategic, reflecting a conscious effort to scale her developmental impact. She maintained that her tenure in the state legislature has equipped her with the institutional insight and constituency exposure required for effective federal representation.

Aligning herself with the development agenda of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, she pledged to consolidate ongoing initiatives while leveraging federal platforms to attract additional resources to the constituency.

Central to her campaign is a detailed portfolio of constituency interventions, particularly in education. These include bursary awards to tertiary students from Gbonyin/Aiyekire, the supply of mechanical lawn mowers to secondary schools, and sustained education grants to indigent students—initiatives she described as reflective of a human capital-driven governance philosophy.

In the economic sector, Okuyiga highlighted targeted empowerment programmes, including financial support to over a thousand individuals and households, grants to petty traders, and the construction of 100 lock-up shops across wards to stimulate grassroots commerce.

Her infrastructural footprint, she noted, includes interventions on critical road networks such as the Ekiti Airport Junction–Imesi axis and federal routes linking Iluomoba and Ijan Ekiti—projects aimed at restoring mobility and economic connectivity.

On social welfare, she referenced her COVID-19 relief initiatives and the “Omi Teju” water scheme, which delivered potable water through borehole projects in underserved communities, addressing core public health concerns.

She also cited her role in facilitating employment opportunities across state and federal establishments, alongside attracting capital projects including rice mills in Ode and Aisegba, as well as upgrades to healthcare facilities within the constituency.

Beyond performance metrics, Okuyiga advanced a strong normative argument for increased female representation, describing the gender imbalance in Nigeria’s legislature as both a democratic shortfall and a constraint on inclusive policymaking.

“The female gender remains underrepresented in our national legislature. I am convinced that, with the support of our great party, I can fill that gap and give a voice to women and men of Ekiti South Federal Constituency II,” she said, projecting both advocacy and inclusivity. “As a woman, a wife, and a mother, I understand the unique challenges facing families, and I am committed to being a strong, credible voice at the federal level.”

Projecting herself as dependable and party-loyal, she assured stakeholders of her commitment to securing electoral victory for the APC and aligning with its broader developmental vision.

“My goal is to ensure our people feel the impact of government more directly through quality representation and the facilitation of federal projects to my constituency and the state at large,” she added, emphasizing sustained engagement across all wards and communities.

Acknowledging the complexities of party primaries, Okuyiga called for unity, structural cohesion, and leadership backing, arguing that her candidacy would strengthen inclusivity and enhance the party’s electoral prospects.

Speaking on behalf of women groups, Mrs. Foluso Awojolu described Okuyiga as a compassionate and results-oriented lawmaker, expressing confidence in her capacity to deliver at the national level.

She appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to support Okuyiga’s candidacy, citing her track record of empowerment, infrastructure facilitation, and grassroots impact.

“Hon. Adeteju Okuyiga has done very well for us. She has empowered the young, old, and widowed, and touched countless lives. She deserves to go higher so she can impact the grassroots more. We want her at the national level to be our voice,” Awojolu said.