The media office of Senator Olajide Ipinsagba has dismissed claims that the political career of the Ondo North lawmaker is over following the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, insisting that the senator remains committed to serving his constituents and advancing development across the district.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Prince Adeyinka Ajagunna, the senator’s camp described as misleading a commentary circulating in the media which suggested that Senator Ipinsagba’s political relevance had ended after the primary election.
According to the statement, such assertions disregard the democratic mandate freely given to the senator by voters across the six local government areas of Ondo North Senatorial District, namely Owo, Akoko South-West, Akoko North-East, Akoko North-West, Akoko South-East and Ose.
While acknowledging the support and influence of the late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, CON, during the 2023 election, the statement emphasized that the victory was ultimately secured through the votes of the people.
The media aide highlighted several achievements recorded since Senator Ipinsagba assumed office in June 2023, including the facilitation of rural road projects, interventions in healthcare delivery, educational support programmes for students, and regular constituency engagements across the district.
Ajagunna noted that reducing the senator’s support base, particularly in Akoko North-West, to mere local influence ignored the contributions of grassroots structures, youth groups, women leaders and traditional institutions that have worked with the senator to deliver development initiatives.
He further stated that Senator Ipinsagba leveraged his relationships within the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government to attract federal projects and interventions to Ondo North, while maintaining direct interaction with constituents through town hall meetings, constituency office engagements and project monitoring exercises.
The statement, however, acknowledged the need for continuous improvement, noting that feedback from constituents regarding greater visibility and engagement would help shape future interactions with the people.
“We agree on one point raised in the article—that elected office is a trust borrowed from the people. Since 2015, Nigerians have increasingly demanded performance over patronage, and that is healthy for our democracy,” the statement said.
It added that the APC primary in Ondo North reflected the evolving democratic process where party cohesion and public approval must work hand in hand, stressing that leaders must listen and adapt whenever gaps emerge.
The senator’s aide maintained that Senator Ipinsagba’s service to Ondo North neither began with his election in 2023 nor would end with a primary contest whose final outcome was yet to be officially made public.
Describing the lawmaker as a committed son of the soil, the statement reaffirmed his dedication to youth empowerment, accountable representation and sustainable development.
“The real contest is not between politicians, but between all of us and underdevelopment,” the statement declared.
The senator also expressed gratitude to the people of Ondo North for their support and assured them that he would continue to serve the district with dedication and commitment regardless of political circumstances.
“The elephant belongs to the forest, and the forest belongs to the people,” the statement concluded.
