The immediate past caretaker chairman of Surulere North local council development area under Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Sarafadeen Olatunji Muhammed, on Thursday, led about 3,000 followers to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
At a meeting held at the Community Hall, Iresaapa, Surulere local government area of the state, Muhammed-Olatunji noted also declared his intention to vie for the seat of the Ogo/Surulere constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja come 2023.
The Son of Alhaji Muhammed Olatunji, former deputy governor of the old Oyo State hinged his decision to join the SDP on a tripod of the need to run for the Green Chamber seat, the need for good governance, and the exemplary leadership style of a former majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, who had earlier dumped the PDP for the SDP.
He also affirmed that the persecution he faced while in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) necessitated his decampment.
Among the leaders who decamped with him were: Alhaji Yakubu Abass, from Oko ward; Prince Kolawole Atoyebi, from Iresaadu and Chief Ganiyu Adebayo (also known as Baba Eleja Aro, from Iresaadu.
While expressing joy in the large turnouts, the former council boss thanked his supporters who came from different parts the council.
He said, “Today, I officially decamped from the PDP to SDP and I also declared my intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat on the platform of the SDP.
“A lot of factors informed my decision. I have been in the PDP for a while and I faced a lot of persecution. With the level of persecution, I cannot continue to stay.
“Again, when I heard that our mother, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, decamped, I know I need to be in her party because of her weight and love she enjoys from people.
“As a former caretaker chairman, I can boldly say that I served my people diligently. I sunk boreholes in six communities; I restored electricity in three communities. Amongst, a community has never seen electricity in their history. Solar light, tables and chairs for schools, grading of roads, among others, are some of my achievements in the council.”
He attributed the love he enjoys in politics with his father’s antecedent and his personal disposition to people of his communities.
He noted, “I thank God for the kind of parents that brought me to this world. My dad, as a former deputy governor, did his best for Ogbomoso communities. I can say that since I started politics, I have enjoyed the grace and benefits of what my father had done. That is why they call me ‘Omo Oloore (son of a benefactor)’.
“We have started strategising on how to win elections. My message for the people of this federal constituency is to watch out for SDP, good governance at its best. They need to propagate SDP and after winning the elections, they will now see governance at its best.”
In his remarks, the acting chairman and coordinator of the meeting, Hon. Yinka Oyetunji, from Moyin ward, described Muhammed-Olatunji as a leader with the fear of God.
He pointed out that the party would continue to grow and expand towards the next elections and beyond. He, therefore, called on the party faithful to drum support for the party and the aspirant.
Oyetunji assured, “If we want the masses to enjoy, let us propagate the message of the SDP from house to house, street to street, unit to unit, area to area, ward to ward, council to council and up to the state and federal levels.
“You all have decided to embark on the journey with us and I’m assuring you that the party will not disappoint you. People from my ward are here. I have been a councilor, board member at the state level, and lot more. If I have not been impeccable, I won’t see people from my ward to join our cause and agenda today.”
At the meeting were also representatives of Ogo Oluwa axis of the constituency. Mr Owalabi, from Ward 7, Iwo Ate, Ogo Oluwa council area, who said he was impressed by the turnout, vowed that Ogo Oluwa will replicate this when meeting moves to their area.
He explained, “I’m impressed by the large turnout I saw and I’m restating that Ogo Oluwa will do a lot of work to ensure the victory of the party.”
From Arolu ward, Surulere local government area, Hon. Sunday Elebe enjoined the supporters to put their unalloyed loyalty in the party and advised Olatuunji-Muhammed to always be mindful of his teeming supporters.
