By The Metro 
Member of the House of Representatives representing Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency, Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati, on Tuesday received a rousing welcome from hundreds of supporters and party faithful after emerging as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.
The supporters converged on Ose Bridge before escorting the federal lawmaker to Akungba-Akoko in a colourful procession to celebrate his return ticket.
Addressing the crowd, Adefarati thanked residents for the warm reception, describing it as unexpected, and urged members of the APC to put the primary election behind them and unite for the party’s success in the 2027 polls.
“I was not expecting this kind of reception. My intention was simply to come home and celebrate with my people, but what I have witnessed today is overwhelming. I sincerely appreciate everyone who came out to receive me after I secured the mandate of our great party,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed that there was no victor or vanquished in the party’s primary, insisting that the APC remained the ultimate winner.
“In politics, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. For me, there is no winner or loser in this contest. The APC is the real winner. I appeal to all party members to close ranks and work together for the success of our party in 2027,” he added.
Expressing confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, Adefarati said Ondo State would again deliver overwhelming votes for the President and all APC candidates.
“In 2023, Ondo State gave President Bola Tinubu one of the highest percentages of votes in the country. I am confident we will repeat that feat in 2027 by delivering massive support for the President and all APC candidates,” he said.
The lawmaker also commended the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for what he described as outstanding performance in office and his commitment to strengthening the APC.
According to him, the minister has transformed the Interior Ministry while mobilising widespread support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid through several support groups.
Speaking at the event, a former Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government, Augustine Oloruntogbe, described the turnout as spontaneous, saying residents gathered voluntarily despite the short notice.
“What you are seeing here is organic. People came out on their own after hearing that Adefarati was returning with his Certificate of Return. Nobody was induced or mobilised with incentives,” he said.
Oloruntogbe expressed confidence that Adefarati would secure victory in the general election, citing his constituency projects and support for education, including borehole projects, school rehabilitation, solar-powered streetlights, employment opportunities and laptop distribution to students.
“He has touched virtually every community in the constituency through impactful projects. That is why I believe the people will stand solidly behind him in 2027,” he added.
Also speaking, APC stakeholder, Prince Ologun Adebukola, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, said the massive turnout reflected the confidence constituents had in the lawmaker.
“Despite the short notice, the turnout was impressive. It shows that the people believe in Adefarati’s leadership and are ready to support him in the 2027 election,” he said.
Other party leaders, including Hon. Barr. Pelemo Samuel and former House of Assembly member, Hon. Felemu Olusegun, congratulated Adefarati on his emergence and urged APC members to remain united and work for the victory of the party and President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
A party chieftain in Akoko South West, Femi Michael, also expressed confidence that Adefarati would win the election, citing what he described as the lawmaker’s developmental projects and growing acceptance across the constituency.
