Ondo: NDC Reps Candidate, Oparinde, Emerges Political Personality of the Year, Pledges Quality Representation

The House of Representatives candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Architect Ayodele Oparinde, popularly known as AYO-TIDE, has been honoured as the Sunshine Standard Emerging Political Personality of the Year in Ondo State (2026).

Oparinde received the award on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the OSPDC Event Centre, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State, in recognition of his growing profile in politics, professional accomplishments and commitment to purposeful leadership and effective representation.

Presenting the award, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Sunshine Standard Magazine, Oludaisi Adetarami, said Oparinde was selected because of his professional achievements as an architect and his demonstrated commitment to the aspirations and challenges of residents of the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency.

Adetarami said the NDC candidate had shown a strong understanding of the socio-economic challenges confronting the people, noting that his engagements with constituents and participation in public discourse reflected his determination to contribute meaningfully to the political development of Ondo State.

He added that the award was based on the magazine’s belief that political influence should go beyond ambition, stressing that genuine leadership must be driven by a sincere desire to serve the people.

Speaking after receiving the award, Oparinde expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition and pledged to provide quality representation if elected to the House of Representatives.

The architect said his educational background, professional experience, exposure and years of engagement with people and institutions had prepared him for the responsibility of legislative representation.

He said: “I believe strongly that the people of Akure South and Akure North Federal Constituency need legislators who understand that their first loyalty is to the people and the Constitution, not to individuals who sponsored or facilitated their emergence.

“Legislators should not simply endorse whatever comes before them. We need independent, intellectually capable and courageous representatives who can scrutinise policies, ask difficult questions and advocate effectively for their constituents.”

Oparinde also advocated a political culture in which votes are no longer treated as commodities, urging voters to understand the power of their ballots in determining the quality of leadership they receive.

“If we can mobilise these citizens, educate them about the power of their votes and convince them that their participation can determine the quality of representation they receive, we can build a different kind of political campaign,” he said.

According to him, political campaigns should be driven less by financial inducements and more by ideas, credibility, organisation and conviction.

He also called for a rethink of constituency projects and empowerment programmes, saying such interventions should be designed around the genuine economic needs of constituents.

Oparinde said empowerment should go beyond the distribution of cash or temporary relief, stressing that it should involve helping people acquire relevant skills, tools, productive assets, access to finance and opportunities capable of improving their earning capacity.

He pledged that, if elected, his representation would be centred on accountability, legislative independence, economic empowerment and policies capable of improving the welfare and livelihoods of constituents.