The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, on Wednesday, August 12, officially unveiled the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA)with the aim to support President Ahmed Bola Tinubu second term bid come 2027.
The inaugural meeting, which marked Dr. Oluyede’s first official engagement with his political family since the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State governorship election, was witnessed by over 5,000 accredited PDP members with representatives from the 16 Local Government Areas and 177 political wards of the state at the Eagle Hall Event Centre along Ado- Ikere road.
The accredited delegates according to records available represented virtually every segment of the PDP structure across Ekiti State. This include, state and local government party leaders, ward executives, former candidates, elders, youth leaders, women leaders, polling unit coordinators, campaign coordinators, support groups and other grassroots mobilisers from all parts of the state.
The PDP chieftain told the gathering that the 2027 presidential election was bigger than his personal political ambition, insisting that his immediate concern was the interest of his supporters, the people of Ekiti and the country. He said he had chosen to support Tinubu because he believed the President deserved their cooperation ahead of the election.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Oluyede said his support for Tinubu was “organic” and insisted that he had no plan to return to All Progressives Congress (APC), the party he left about seven years ago. He urged his supporters not to abandon the PDP because of his decision, saying, “There is no space for me in the APC. You don’t go back where you left.”
Oluyede explained that after invitation from the president for deliberation, the President did not ask him to leave the PDP. According to him, Tinubu only asked him to support his administration and assured him that they could work together if the government continued. He said his relationship with the President should therefore be viewed as political cooperation rather than defection.
Speaking further, Dr. Oluyede acknowledged the sacrifices made by thousands of party members, volunteers, polling agents, women, youths and supporters across the state, describing their loyalty as one of the greatest sources of strength throughout the election period.
In his words, “today is not just another political meeting. It is a family reunion. It is an opportunity for me to say thank you to every member of our political family and to the good people of Ekiti State who stood firmly with us before, during and after the governorship election.
“We planned this inaugural stakeholders’ meeting for about 2,000 representatives across the 16 Local Government Areas, but today, more than 5,000 accredited PDP stakeholders and representatives answered the call. This extraordinary turnout is a powerful testimony to the unity, resilience and commitment of our political family. I am deeply humbled by this overwhelming demonstration of love.”
He added that the massive attendance was not merely a reflection of political strength but evidence that the ideals upon which his governorship campaign was built remain alive among the people.
“The election has come and gone, but your love has remained constant. You never abandoned me. Your encouragement, prayers, sacrifices and confidence have strengthened my resolve to continue serving our people. For this, I owe every one of you a debt of gratitude.” He said.
Dr. Oluyede explained that the unveiling of the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA) was the outcome of months of reflection and consultation on how best to continue serving Ekiti State and Nigeria after the governorship election.
According to him, while elections naturally produce winners and losers, leadership should never end with the declaration of election results.
He said the responsibility of every patriotic leader is to continue seeking ways to advance the welfare of the people and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The PDP chieftain said it was against this background that he resolved to establish OPARHA dedicated to promoting civic participation, national unity and public engagement.
He explained that after careful consideration of the country’s political and economic realities, he decided to align the movement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Dr. Oluyede, his decision was driven not by personal political ambition but by his conviction that Nigeria requires greater collaboration among leaders across political divides to consolidate democratic governance and accelerate development.
“Politics should never become an obstacle to national progress. Elections come and go, but the responsibility of building our nation remains. At this critical stage of our history, every patriotic Nigerian must contribute to strengthening democracy and supporting policies that will move our country forward.”
Oluyede recalled his pioneering role in the South West Agenda (SWAGA), one of the earliest political movements that mobilised support for President Tinubu’s presidential ambition, noting that his belief in progressive leadership has remained consistent over the years.
Dr. Oluyede announced that OPARHA would establish active structures across the 16 Local Government Areas and 177 political wards of Ekiti State.
The movement, he explained, would focus on community engagement, policy communication, youth mobilisation, women’s participation, volunteer development, research, stakeholder consultations, town hall meetings and evidence-based feedback between government and the people.
Operating under the theme “Mobilising Grassroots Support for National Development” and the motto “One Ekiti. One Vision. Renewed Hope,” OPARHA, according to him, will complement efforts aimed at strengthening public understanding of government policies while promoting peace, unity and sustainable development.
Dr. Oluyede urged members of his political family not to allow the outcome of the governorship election to weaken their commitment to the development of Ekiti State.
He announced that consultations would immediately commence with leaders of the PDP, APC, Labour Party, ADC, SDP, traditional rulers, youth groups, women organisations, market associations, artisans, farmers, professionals and civil society organisations across the state.
He said the consultations would lay the foundation for one of the most extensive grassroots mobilisation networks in Ekiti State ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Leadership is not defined by winning an election alone. Leadership is measured by the willingness to continue serving the people despite challenges. My commitment to Ekiti State remains unwavering. Together, we can build a stronger, more united and prosperous state while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s future.” He said.
The event climaxed with the formal unveiling of the OPARHA logo, vision, organisational structure and strategic implementation roadmap.
The stakeholders thereafter unanimously pledged to support the movement and return to their respective local government areas and wards to commence consultations and grassroots mobilisation in support of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope and second term agenda.
