A grassroots political advocate in Ondo State, Adedotun Adebumiti, has called on voters in Ondo Central Senatorial District to support the return of former Senator Ayo Akinyelure to the Senate, arguing that his record of representation was better than that of the incumbent senator.
Adebumiti, who spoke with newsmen on Sunday in Ifedore Local Council, said Akinyelure’s previous tenure was characterised by accessibility, employment opportunities and community development projects across the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
He said his campaign for Akinyelure, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the 2027 election, was not driven by party affiliation but by what he described as the former senator’s verifiable record of service.
According to him, Akinyelure’s open-door approach to governance made it easier for constituents to present their concerns and seek assistance, describing accessibility as a key requirement for effective legislative representation.
Adebumiti maintained that Akinyelure’s tenure between 2011 and 2015 produced tangible benefits for constituents, despite the former senator contesting under a minority political party at the time.
He urged the people of Ondo Central to assess candidates based on their records rather than political platforms, saying the district needed a representative who would prioritise the interests of the people and remain accessible to them.
The grassroots advocate also criticised what he described as the incumbent senator’s approach to representation, alleging that some constituents and supporters had been excluded from opportunities because of political differences.
He cited an alleged instance in which the name of a youth leader in a federal constituency was removed from an opportunity, describing such action as inconsistent with the responsibility of an elected representative.
“As a leader, you must serve everyone that voted for you, not just your loyalists,” he said.
Adebumiti further argued that Akinyelure’s ability to contest and win elections on different political platforms demonstrated what he described as his personal popularity and acceptance among the electorate.
