Spokesman to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State Rafiu Ajakaye has announced his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat for the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency.
Ajakaye announced his bid in a video delivered in Yoruba posted on his social media platforms on Monday after consultations with stakeholders across the constituency.
He began by addressing party members and leaders.
“I greet all our fathers and mothers. I also greet all the elders and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially in Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency,” he said.
He then formally declared his ambition, saying, “I am Rafiu Ajakaye, PhD. I am aspiring to be a Member of the House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja, under the banner of the APC.
“After several meetings and consultations with the elders and leaders of Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, I am elated to share with the general public that I shall be contesting in the upcoming APC primary elections as a Member of the House of Representatives for Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun.”
Speaking on his plans, Ajakaye said he would work with stakeholders to deliver development.
“Findings by scholars and my personal experience have shown that a state (government) will achieve a lot more and deliver more dividends of democracy to the greatest number of its people with the support and partnership of quality and credible lawmakers. I will be a partner for public good and work closely with all stakeholders, including the state government to align resources with public needs,” he said.
He also pledged to represent the interests of the constituency.
“I am assuring you that I will be an honest, responsible, and competent representative who will push your interests and ensure that our communities become the epicentre of growth and development,” he promised.
He concluded with an appeal for support from party members, adding, “I urge all the leaders and members of our party to work with me for sustainable growth and development of Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency.”
Ajakaye was first appointed chief press secretary in 2019 and was reappointed in 2023 following AbdulRazaq’s second term inauguration.
Before joining the government, Ajakaye worked as a journalist with local and international media organisations, including Daily Independent and Anadolu Agency.
He is a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the International Press Institute (IPI).
Ajakaye recently completed a PhD at the Lagos State University. He also studied at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University.
In 2024, he received the NIPR Distiguished Spokesperson of the Year award for excellence in political communication.
