The race for the 2027 general elections in Ondo State took a new turn on Tuesday as the African Action Congress (AAC) House of Representatives candidate for Akoko South-East and Akoko South-West Federal Constituency, Honourable Oyebola Atere, launched a fierce criticism of the quality of political representation in the constituency, declaring that the people of Akoko deserve a new era of serious, business-like and people-centered leadership.
In a statement issued from Akungba-Akoko on June 9, 2026, Atere described his emergence as the AAC candidate as the beginning of what he called a fresh political direction for a constituency blessed with enormous agricultural, mineral and human resources but still struggling with unemployment, underdevelopment and poor economic transformation.
The AAC candidate painted a picture of a region rich in opportunities but trapped in years of unfulfilled political promises. According to him, Akoko South-East and Akoko South-West possess fertile agricultural lands, abundant solid minerals and a hardworking population capable of driving economic prosperity, yet these advantages have not translated into meaningful development for the people.
Atere noted that despite the area’s reputation as one of Ondo State’s major agricultural zones, farmers continue to battle limited support while thousands of young people remain unemployed. He argued that successive political representatives have failed to transform agriculture into a vehicle for mass job creation, wealth generation and commercial-scale production.
The AAC standard bearer insisted that the problem confronting Akoko is not a lack of resources but a lack of visionary and accountable leadership. He maintained that what the constituency requires is a leadership model driven by public service rather than personal gain, stressing that future generations deserve a political legacy they can proudly inherit.
Promising a departure from conventional representation, Atere pledged to establish a system of regular engagement with constituents through quarterly and annual congresses aimed at ensuring direct communication between elected officials and the people. He said governance must be built on continuous consultation, accountability and measurable results rather than election-season promises.
The candidate also vowed to introduce feedback mechanisms that would enable residents to participate actively in shaping legislative priorities and constituency projects, arguing that democracy loses its essence when elected representatives become disconnected from the people who voted them into office.
In what appeared to be the official commencement of his campaign across the federal constituency, Atere called on residents from Oka-Akoko to Eti-Iro and from Isua-Akoko to Sosan-Akoko to rally behind the African Action Congress in the next elections.
He further threw his weight behind AAC presidential hopeful, Omoyele Sowore, describing him as the most mentally, physically, ideologically and politically prepared candidate to lead Nigeria. Atere urged voters to support both the AAC presidential ticket and his House of Representatives ambition, arguing that such a combination would provide the foundation for a new Akoko and a better Nigeria.
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of 2027, Atere’s declaration signals the AAC’s determination to challenge the dominance of established political parties in Ondo State and position itself as a platform for voters seeking an alternative to the country’s traditional political order.