By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Makinde’s campaign director, Honourable Folajimi Oyekunle, popularly known as DON, has returned to the federal legislature 14 years after first serving in the Oyo State House of Assembly, following his victory in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Oyekunle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the poll conducted on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The Returning Officer, Prof. Abiodun Oluwadare of the University of Ibadan, announced the results at the collation centre in Ikolaba High School, Ibadan.
According to the official figures, Oyekunle polled 18,404 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Honourable Adewale Olatunji, Murphy of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 8,312 votes. Other parties had marginal returns, with ADC’s Femi Akin-Alamu polling 88 votes, APGA’s Olabisi Olajumoke 40 votes, and ZLP’s Hammed Badmus 18 votes.
The election was held to fill the vacant seat left by the death of Hon. Musiliudeen Olaide Akinremi, popularly called Jagaban, who represented Ibadan North under the APC until his passing in July 2024.
Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle, fondly called Don, is a grassroots politician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Born into the family of Dr. and Mrs. Dejo Oyekunle of Jagun Village in Lagelu Local Government Area, he has deep roots in Ibadan.
He studied at the Federal College of Agriculture, Moore Plantation, Ibadan, and later established successful businesses spanning agriculture, real estate, and entertainment, employing over 150 people in the city.
Oyekunle is also the founder of the Folajimi Oyekunle Foundation, which has for over 15 years supported communities with educational scholarships, healthcare assistance, and economic empowerment programmes.
Politically, he began his journey as a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ibadan North Constituency 1. He later served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and was Director General of the Omituntun 2.0 Campaign Organisation during the 2023 elections, where he played a pivotal role in securing the governor’s re election.
His philanthropic works include personally completing the roofing of the Abijamori Central Mosque in Yemetu Oni Lane, Ibadan, and quietly supporting widows, artisans, and traders through direct interventions.
During the campaign for the bye-election, Oyekunle emphasized unity, grassroots development, and effective representation. Despite internal disagreements within the PDP over his emergence as candidate, he maintained the backing of Governor Makinde and the party’s leadership.
The victory is significant for the PDP as it marks the first time since 2011 that the party has reclaimed the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, breaking the APC’s long dominance in the area.
The outcome of the bye-election has been described by analysts as a major milestone for the PDP in Oyo State. By reclaiming the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat, the party not only honored the legacy of its grassroots mobilizers but also signaled renewed strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
