Reward Loyalty, Not Opportunism’ — Group Canvasses Support for Chief Owoniyi Olaitan Nurudeen, Cites Father’s Political Legacy
The Concerned Progressive Advocates have appealed to leaders of the APC to prioritize loyalty, sacrifice, and grassroots service in future political appointments and nominations, insisting that Chief Owoniyi Olaitan Nurudeen represents the ideals of the progressive movement built by his late father, Alhaji Chief Raman Owoniyi, a respected party stalwart in Kwara State.
Full Statement
RE: REWARD LOYALTY, NOT OPPORTUNISM – THE CASE FOR CHIEF OWONIYI OLAITAN NURUDEEN
There are families that *did not just join politics. They built it.
Long before politics became a career for many, *Alhaji Chief Raman Owoniyi, the Ajikobi of Igbaja*, had already dedicated his life to the progressive movement.
He began his political journey under the *Action Group* as a committed follower of the late sage, *Obafemi Awolowo*, whose philosophy of *people-oriented governance* shaped generations of progressive politicians.
He worked closely with *J. S. Olawoyin of Offa* and played important roles during the administration of *Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo* as Governor of Kwara State. Through every political transition, he *remained steadfast*, refusing to abandon the progressive ideology for personal convenience.
When many doubted that change was possible in Kwara State, *Alhaji Chief Raman Owoniyi* stood firmly with the progressive family and became one of the *committed foot soldiers of the historic _O To Ge_ movement* that restored hope to millions of Kwarans.
Until his death, he served faithfully as the *Chairman of the AA Group in Ifelodun Local Government, where he *mobilized, united and strengthened party structures across communities.
His politics was built on *accessibility, resourcefulness and popularity*. His home remained open to party members, youths, women and community leaders. He was a *dependable mobilizer, a trusted adviser and an elder statesman whose loyalty to the progressive family was *never questioned
Men like Alhaji Chief Raman Owoniyi did not merely belong to the party—they built it.
The political journey of *Alhaji Chief Raman Owoniyi* was shaped alongside some of the most respected figures in Nigeria’s progressive movement. He shared the progressive ideology and political struggles with notable leaders such as *Abraham Adesanya, Ayo Opadokun, Ganiyu Kolade Oseni, Zac Olayemi, Olabisi Onabanjo*, and many other distinguished progressive leaders of that era.
These relationships were founded on *shared convictions, unwavering commitment to democratic values, and the collective pursuit of good governance*. His political influence was therefore *not confined to Ifelodun alone* but extended across Kwara State and the broader progressive family in Nigeria.
It is this *rich heritage of political activism, principled leadership and enduring relationships* that *Chief Owoniyi Olaitan Nurudeen* proudly inherits today.
His aspiration to represent the people of *Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency* is a *continuation of a legacy* built on *sacrifice, credibility, grassroots mobilization and an unshakable commitment to the progressive cause*. The values that defined his father’s generation *remain the guiding principles* of his own political journey.
THE LEGACY MUST NOT END
Today, that same spirit of service, sacrifice and loyalty is embodied in Chief Owoniyi Olaitan Nurudeen
His aspiration is not an accidental political ambition*. It is the *continuation of a legacy rooted in decades of commitment to the progressive movement and *selfless service to the people.
Like his late father, Chief Owoniyi Olaitan Nurudeen* has remained accessible to party members, resourceful in supporting community development and widely respected* across the Federal Constituency for his humility, responsiveness and grassroots connection
He understands that *political leadership is earned through service*—not inherited through influence or imposed through favoritism.
A PARTY THAT BUILDS ITS FUTURE MUST HONOUR ITS PAST
A political family that ignores loyalty, sacrifices experience and rewards opportunism risks weakening its own foundation
The progressive movement became strong *because of committed elders, grassroots mobilizers and ordinary members* who invested their time, resources and reputation in building the party.
Loyalty must never become a disadvantage. Service must never go unrewarded.
The time has come to *strengthen the grassroots, preserve the legacy of those who built the house before others came to dwell in it*, and ensure that commitment, integrity and service still matter
The legacy must not end. It must continue.
Sincerely,
Concerned Progressive Advocates
Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency
Kwara State