The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Hon. Sarafa Olaito Olaoniye, popularly known as Bibire, has called for reconciliation and unity within the party, declaring that the contest for the party’s ticket was over and that all members must now work together to secure victory in the 2027 general election.
In an acceptance speech issued on Wednesday following his emergence as the APC candidate, Olaoniye expressed gratitude to God, party leaders and supporters for the confidence reposed in him, describing the nomination as a sacred responsibility rather than a personal triumph. He pledged to justify the trust placed in him through selfless service and purposeful leadership.
The APC standard-bearer said the primary election had demonstrated the strength of internal democracy within the party, noting that aspirants freely canvassed support and presented their ideas before delegates and members made their choice. According to him, the exercise had ended and the time had come for every stakeholder to unite behind a common objective of reclaiming the constituency for the APC.
In a direct appeal to his fellow contestants, Olaoniye extended what he described as a hand of fellowship to all aspirants from Igbo-Ora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan, including former lawmaker Rt. Hon. Ajibola Muraina. He stressed that there was “no victor and no vanquished,” urging party members to bury their differences, preserve long-standing relationships and channel their collective energy toward the success of the APC.
With his emergence, Olaoniye brought to an end Rt. Hon. Ajibola Muraina’s 20-years dominance in securing major party’s ticket for Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, marking a significant turning point in the constituency’s political history.
Drawing inspiration from former United States President Abraham Lincoln’s famous declaration that “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” the APC candidate warned against bitterness, resentment and needless rivalries, insisting that unity remained the party’s greatest strength. He also referenced the late South African leader Nelson Mandela’s famous quote, saying that seemingly impossible goals could be achieved through collective determination and shared purpose.
Olaoniye said the people of Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North had endured years of inadequate representation, infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment and slow economic growth, arguing that the constituency deserved leadership that understood its peculiar challenges. He promised to provide accessible representation, attract developmental opportunities and collaborate with government institutions and development partners to improve the welfare of residents across the constituency.
Highlighting his public service credentials, the former Executive Vice Chairman and Caretaker Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government said his record in office remained open to public scrutiny. He maintained that leadership should be assessed by the positive impact made on people’s lives rather than the number of positions occupied, adding that his ancestral ties to three of the five communities in the constituency gave him a deeper understanding of the aspirations and challenges of the people.
The APC candidate also outlined the tone his campaign would adopt ahead of the general election, ruling out campaigns based on falsehood, propaganda and character assassination. Instead, he said his campaign would focus on issues, achievements and practical solutions while urging supporters to maintain civility on social media and during political engagements. Olaoniye warned that anyone engaging in abusive campaigns or inflammatory rhetoric did not share his political vision, revealing that he and his campaign team would monitor the conduct of supporters and call erring members to order.
Beyond the House of Representatives contest, Olaoniye charged APC members across Oyo State to mobilise support for the party at all levels in the 2027 elections. He urged members to work for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s governorship candidate, senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates and all APC flag bearers across the state’s 32 House of Assembly constituencies, saying history and posterity would judge the party’s collective efforts.
He dedicated his nomination to ordinary residents of Ibarapa Land, including farmers, traders, artisans, students and unemployed youths, whom he said had borne the consequences of poor leadership and limited opportunities. While accepting the party’s mandate with humility, Olaoniye maintained that the primary election was now behind the APC, insisting that the next phase should be defined by peace, unity, quality representation and a shared commitment to delivering electoral victory and sustainable development for Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North.
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My dear leaders, stakeholders, party faithful, supporters, friends and the good people of Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, I write to you today with a heart overflowing with gratitude, humility and a firm commitment of responsibility. The confidence reposed in me by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is both an honour and a sacred obligation which I shall never take for granted.
First and foremost, I give all glory and adoration to Almighty God, whose grace, mercy and divine guidance have brought us to this remarkable moment. Human effort alone cannot explain certain victories, they are manifestations of divine favour. Today, I acknowledge that this victory belongs first to God and then to the people who believed in our collective vision.
I wish to wholeheartedly appreciate the leadership of our great party at the national, state, local government and ward levels for finding me worthy of this nomination. Your trust is not misplaced. Your confidence in my capacity to represent our constituency effectively shall continue to inspire my commitment to selfless service and purposeful leadership.
I equally extend my heartfelt appreciation to every individual who contributed, directly or indirectly, to this success. To the elders who offered wise counsel, the youths who mobilised support, the women who prayed tirelessly and the numerous supporters who sacrificed time and resources, I say thank you. This victory is a reflection of your dedication and belief in a better future for our constituency.
As we celebrate this watershed moment, let us remember a fundamental truth: winning a party ticket is only the beginning of the journey. The ultimate task before us is to secure victory at the general election. Therefore, I call on every member of our party to close ranks and prepare for the greater assignment ahead. The election before us is not merely about an individual, it is about the future of our people and the prosperity of our communities.
During the primary election process, we demonstrated the beauty of democracy. We canvassed support, presented ideas, engaged our people and competed vigorously but respectfully. Democracy thrives when citizens are given the freedom to choose and our party has once again demonstrated its commitment to democratic ideals by going for direct primaries throughout the federation with no exceptions to the seat of the presidency of our great party. However, the die is cast and the time has come for us to move forward as one united family.
At this crucial moment, I extend a hand of fellowship to all aspirants who participated in this contest from Igbo-Ora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan. There is no victor and no vanquished. We are all stakeholders in the progress of Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North. The contest may have ended, but the mission continues. Let us bury the hatchet, unite our strengths, combine our ideas and work together for the success of our party and the advancement of our people.
I seize this moment to specially salute Rt. Hon. Ajibola Muraina and other distinguished aspirants who contested alongside me. Their participation enriched our democratic process and strengthened our party. Politics should never destroy relationships built over years of mutual respect and shared aspirations. Despite differing political interests during the primaries, we remain brothers united by a common love for our constituency.
Former President Abraham Lincoln once observed that, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Today, that timeless statement remains relevant in our political trajectory as a people and nation. Division weakens communities, while unity creates opportunities for progress. Let us therefore reject bitterness, hatred, resentment and unnecessary rivalries. Together, we are stronger, together, we are invincible.
Also, the words of the late Nelson Mandela resonate strongly at this critical moment: ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ The challenges confronting our constituency may appear enormous, but with unity, determination and collective purpose, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. The task before us is enormous, but so is our resolve.
Our federal constituency has experienced significant setbacks in critical areas of development, representation, infrastructure, youth empowerment and economic growth. The residents of Igangan, Tapa, Igbo-Ora, Idere, Ayete and our hundreds of villages deserve a representative who understands these realities and is prepared to confront them with courage, competence and sincerity. I present myself as that servant-leader, ready to work around the clock for the betterment of our constituency.
My commitment is simple; meaningful representation, accessible leadership and sustainable development. I will collaborate with relevant institutions, development partners, government at all levels and fellow lawmakers to attract opportunities that will improve the welfare of our people. We shall leave no stone unturned in our quest to bring development to every corner of our constituency.
Throughout my years in public service and leadership positions, I have consistently used every opportunity available to positively impact lives. My records in Ibarapa Central as an Executive Vice Chairman and Caretaker Chairman are both verifiable and open to public scrutiny. I believe leadership should be measured not by titles held but by lives touched and communities transformed at any given opportunity.
One unique advantage I bring to this race is my deep-rooted connection to the people. I can trace my ancestral heritage to three of the five communities that make up this federal constituency. This connection gives me an intimate understanding of our challenges, aspirations and expectations. I know where the shoe pinches because I have walked the same roads, shared the same experiences and listened to the concerns of our people firsthand.
Our campaign shall be anchored on issues, achievements and realistic solutions. We will not campaign through falsehood, propaganda, or personal attacks. Rather, we shall present our records, articulate our vision and allow the people to make informed decisions based on facts and antecedents.
I therefore urge all my supporters to maintain decorum and civility when the campaign windows are open by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Let us avoid campaigns of calumny, character assassination, communal sentiments, community divisions and inflammatory rhetoric. Such actions weaken democracy and distract attention from the issues that truly matter to the people. Let us discuss solutions instead of personalities and build bridges, not walls. I will personally alongside my team of committed community men and women monitor the activities of my supporters on all social media platforms and public gatherings to call to order any individual who attempts to violate this resolve. If your goal is to insult, belittle a people or assassinate other people’s character, you do not share this project with me. My political ambition is not worth stripping anyone of their dignity or denying them the right to support any candidate of their choice.
The former President of the United States, Barack Obama, once said, “The future rewards those who press on.” As we move forward, let us remain focused on the future we seek to build together. Let us engage in constructive conversations about education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, security, youth development and economic prosperity.
I dedicate this ticket to every son and daughter of Ibarapa Land who has suffered the consequences of poor leadership, neglect, unemployment and limited opportunities. This mandate belongs to the market woman striving to feed her family, the farmer cultivating our lands, the artisan seeking opportunities, the student pursuing education and the youth aspiring for a brighter tomorrow. We believe that a rising tide lifts all boats; when our constituency prospers, every household stands to benefit.
In addition to the above, I call upon all stakeholders across political, religious and community lines to embrace peace, understanding and mutual respect. Development flourishes where peace reigns. Progress becomes sustainable where unity prevails. Let us row in the same direction, strengthen the bonds that unite us and rise above the politics of division that has slowed our collective advancement over the years.
As we journey toward the 2027 general election, the ball is now in our court. We must put our shoulders to the wheel and work assiduously to deliver overwhelming victories for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our governorship candidate, our senatorial candidates, our House of Representatives candidates and all APC candidates in all the 32 state constituencies of Oyo State. Together, we shall write a new chapter of political success and developmental progress. History beckons and posterity is watching.
Finally, I thank every member of the APC, every supporter, every stakeholder and every resident of Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency. I accept this nomination with humility, gratitude and a sense of responsibility. The primaries are behind us; it is time to turn the page and begin a new chapter defined by unity, service, progress and victory. By the grace of God, with your support and prayers, we shall achieve victory, deepen democracy, strengthen unity and deliver the quality representation our people deserve.
May God bless our party, bless Ibarapa Land, bless Oyo State and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Hon. Sarafa Olaito Olaoniye (Bibire)
APC Candidate, Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency
01/07/2026
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