Oseni Assures Tinubu of One Million Votes from Oyo, Unveils Support for Artisans
By Adewale Owoade
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Remi Oseni, has mobilised thousands of artisans and traders across Oyo State to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Oseni, convener of the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF), said artisans and traders must see themselves as critical stakeholders in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at repositioning Nigeria.
He made the remarks during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with members of ROCOF Progressive Workers and Traders’ Associations in Ibadan.
The federal lawmaker urged traders and artisans to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them to participate in future elections.
He also cautioned against vote-buying and vote-selling, stressing that such practices undermine the future of coming generations.
Oseni, who is seeking to represent Oyo South Senatorial District in the next election cycle, said the meeting was also organised to discuss additional areas where members could benefit from empowerment programmes designed to support their businesses and livelihoods.
He disclosed that requests for a N250 million interest-free loan scheme for artisans and traders under ROCOF, the construction of an artisans’ village with stable electricity supply, and health insurance support had all received approval.
Oseni, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), explained that the interest-free loan scheme would be administered through a microfinance bank under the Remi Oseni Foundation.
He added that road and infrastructure development projects would also remain a priority.
According to him, the meeting was equally intended to brief members of the artisans’ and traders’ associations, as well as other supporters, on the circumstances that led to his decision to pursue a senatorial seat instead of his earlier governorship ambition.
“We convened this ROCOF Progressive Workers and Traders’ Associations stakeholders’ meeting to review our current position. Before now, our focus was on taking over the leadership of Oyo State through the governorship.
“That was our clear objective as a movement. Today, however, it is evident that God has directed us toward the Senate.
“Our people needed to be properly informed about the decision, the party’s position, and what we have accepted.
“It is not enough for us to accept what our leaders offer. We have a responsibility to carry our supporters along and encourage them to embrace the opportunity in good faith.
“We want them to believe that the same God who has made this possible can also open greater doors in the future.
“We are also here to encourage them and sustain their expectations from us. Many believe that achieving our initial governorship ambition would have brought greater benefits to them as an institution.
“However, we have reassured them that the government is behind us. The President has encouraged us and assured us that the future remains bright.
“We have equally assured the President that our decision to contest for the Oyo South Senate seat will not affect the one million votes we promised him, as ROCOF structures across the 33 local government areas are fully committed to supporting him,” Oseni said.
Oseni further stated that efforts are underway to reconcile aggrieved members of the party, expressing confidence that all outstanding issues would soon be resolved.
According to him, the existence of differing interests within the APC is a reflection of its strength and popularity as a winning party.
Earlier, the Oyo State Coordinator of ROCOF Progressive Workers and Traders’ Associations, Alhaji Munirudeen Adegoke, described Oseni’s empowerment initiatives as a strategic economic investment.
According to him, empowering artisans and traders helps reduce unemployment, curb youth restiveness, and alleviate poverty within communities.
“This is why we believe empowerment for artisans and traders requires more than temporary handouts. It demands structured policies that guarantee access to capital, modern infrastructure, and social protection,” Adegoke said.