Irepodun, Kwara State — In a move aimed at consolidating the APC ahead of the 2027 general election, the party’s candidate for Irepodun State Constituency, Akeweje Olayinka Fafoluyi, has brought his former co-contestants in the party’s primary election into key positions in his campaign council.
The appointments place former aspirants who contested against Akeweje at the heart of the campaign structure, with responsibilities covering campaign administration, strategy and planning, media and publicity, research and public policy, religious engagement and logistics.
The development marks a deliberate effort to transform the competitive primary contest into a broader campaign partnership, drawing on the experience, networks and grassroots connections of the former aspirants.
Akeweje said the primary election should not define the relationship among those who contested for the ticket, stressing that the campaign now requires a collective effort to serve the people of Irepodun.
“There are no former rivals in this campaign. We are one team, united by a common purpose and a commitment to serve the people of Irepodun.”
He added that the conclusion of the primary had opened a new phase of collective responsibility.
“The primary election has ended, but our collective responsibility to Irepodun has only begun. I have chosen to bring all my former co-contestants into this structure because their experience, networks and commitment remain valuable to our shared mission.”
Among those appointed is Sunday Abolaji, who becomes Director-General of the Campaign. A former youth leader of both the PDP and APC in Ajase Ward II, Abolaji previously served as Secretary of the Irepodun Local Government Transition Implementation Committee and also held student leadership positions within the Igbomina student community.
David Sunday Aremu, popularly known as DOSA, was appointed Secretary.
An agriculturist, entrepreneur and grassroots politician from Oko Ward, Aremu holds a Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Mechanisation from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Ado Ekiti University.
He began his career in agriculture before establishing DOSA Livestock Feeds Mills Enterprises in 2002. He later ventured into elective politics and was elected Councillor representing Oko Ward at Irepodun Local Government in 2010.
During his tenure, he served as Speaker of the Irepodun Local Government Legislative Council and was elected Chairman of the Kwara State Local Government Speakers’ Forum.
Aremu currently serves as Chairman of the Maize Producers Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Kwara State Chapter, and as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of DOSA Olamitunbosun Global Services Ltd, with interests in agriculture and construction.
Hon. Abolarin Taofeek, from Ipetu/Rore/Aran-Orin Ward, takes charge as Director of Media and Publicity, overseeing media, publicity and strategic communication for the campaign.
Ahmed Babajide Olanrewaju (Sir K), an ICT professional from Arandun with experience in the university system, becomes Director of Research and Public Policy. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in Computer Science and is a doctoral candidate.
Hon. Adeyemi Oludare Israel, a former House of Assembly aspirant from Omu-Aran II, was appointed Director of Religious Engagements, while Felix Olaseinde becomes Director of Logistics.
Hon. Lawal Abiola, an entrepreneur, Banking and Finance graduate and grassroots mobiliser from Omu-Aran Ward I, takes responsibility as Director of Strategy and Planning.
Lawal has previously contested for the House of Assembly and the chairmanship of Irepodun Local Government.
The appointments represent Akeweje’s effort to build a campaign organisation that draws on the political experience and grassroots networks of individuals who previously sought the same party ticket.
Rather than allowing the primary contest to create lasting divisions, the campaign structure brings the former aspirants into positions where their respective experience and networks can contribute to the 2027 campaign.
For Akeweje, the initiative goes beyond the distribution of campaign positions. It is a statement about the need for former contestants to work together after the primary and channel their individual strengths towards a common political objective.
“There are no former rivals in this campaign. We are one team, united by a common purpose and a commitment to serve the people of Irepodun.”
The new campaign council therefore brings together former primary contenders with different professional backgrounds, political experiences and grassroots constituencies under a single campaign structure.
Akeweje Olayinka Fafoluyi
Chairman, Akeweje Campaign Council
APC Candidate for Irepodun State Constituency