•••”We Remember 2023. We Remember the Sacrifice OTOPE made. That Decision Did Not Weaken Him—It Defined Him.”
EGBEDA/ONA-ARA, OYO STATE – It was a day of political reckoning in Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency on Saturday March 15, 2026 as leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rallied behind Hon. (Dr.) Ezekiel Temitope Oladimeji, popularly known as OTOPE, following his declaration to contest for the House of Representatives seat in the 2027 elections. The overwhelming sentiment from the gathering was clear: OTOPE’s sacrifice in 2023 has placed him ahead of other contenders for the ticket.
The declaration event, held within the constituency, drew a massive crowd of party faithful, youth groups, women leaders, and traditional party structure officers. But beyond the usual fanfare of a political declaration, the gathering carried an air of moral obligation, as party leaders openly declared that it was time to repay the loyalty OTOPE showed during the 2023 general elections.
Speaking with conviction, Pastor Olamoyegun Judah, who is the immediate past PDP Chairman in Egbeda LG, a key stakeholder in the constituency, set the political tone by reminding the audience of the sacrifices made by OTOPE in the last election cycle. He noted that while many politicians claim loyalty, OTOPE demonstrated it when it mattered most.
“We remember 2023. We have not forgotten,” Pastor Judah declared, his voice rising above the roaring approval of the crowd. “When the party knocked, he answered. When obedience demanded his ambition, he laid it down. That decision did not weaken him—it defined him. While others plotted division, he preserved our unity. While others retreated, he moved into Ona-Ara and delivered a bloc vote that secured victory for the PDP in the local government.”
He continued with measured intensity: “Today, we are not here to ask for favours. We are here to repay a debt. That sacrifice has placed him ahead of others. And in 2027, we will ensure that Egbeda/Ona-Ara repays him with a mandate that echoes across Oyo State.”
The statement was met with resounding applause from supporters who echoed the call for equity and reward for loyalty. Political observers within the constituency noted that the endorsement from grassroots leaders so early in the race signals a significant shift in the political dynamics of Egbeda/Ona-Ara.
Hon. OTOPE, in his address, remained focused on service delivery and representation. He thanked the party leaders and supporters for their trust and assured them that his ambition is rooted in a genuine desire to uplift the constituency.
“This movement is bigger than any one individual,” OTOPE said. “In 2023, we proved that loyalty to the party yields results. In 2027, we will prove that loyalty to the people yields transformation. I stand here not because I am entitled, but because you have trusted me. I will not betray that trust.”
Political analysts watching the race note that OTOPE’s early momentum is built on a solid foundation of party discipline and grassroots mobilization. Unlike aspirants who rely solely on finances or federal influence, OTOPE’s strength appears to stem from a deep network of local stakeholders who view his emergence as a project of collective interest.
As the event concluded, chants of “OTOPE! OTOPE!” filled the air, with supporters vowing to ensure that his declaration translates into a landslide victory. For PDP leaders in Egbeda/Ona-Ara, the message is now unmistakable: 2027 is not just another election year—it is the time to settle a debt of honour.
