Mr Kunle Olatunji has resigned his appointment as a legislative aide and formally declared his ambition to contest in the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
Unveiling what he described as “Leadership Redefined Agenda for Oyo State”, Olatunji (aka KTJ), in a statement on Tuesday, expressed strong confidence in his vision to succeed the incumbent governor, of the state, ‘Seyi Makinde.
In what has been described as a bold and unconventional move within the Oyo State political landscape, Olatunji stated that he has positioned himself as a reform-driven candidate determined to reshape governance in the state.
The declaration by Olatunji followed his resignation in compliance with the 30 March deadline presidential directive requiring political appointees seeking elective offices to step down.
Until recently, he served as Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Senator Yunus Akintunde, having also previously served in a similar capacity to the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Olatunji noted that, despite being relatively unknown to the broader public, he has played strategic roles in the emergence of several past leaders in Oyo State, working closely with key stakeholders in political planning and election management.
Speaking on his motivation, he stated that his decision to run was driven by firsthand experience of governance challenges, including what he described as absence of empathy, focus, and purposeful leadership required for sustainable growth and development.
“I have been actively involved in the evolution of Oyo State’s political landscape and have witnessed, firsthand, the persistent challenges of governance. This has strengthened my resolve to contribute meaningfully to a new direction,” he stated.
Olatunji emphasised his commitment to building a leadership model anchored on integrity, empathy, accountability, and purposeful vision. According to him, his ambition is to collaborate with like-minded individuals to restore public trust, drive inclusive governance, and reposition Oyo State as a model for effective leadership in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in a well-structured strategy that will involve robust stakeholder engagement and innovative governance solutions.
As part of his campaign rollout, Olatunji announced plans to unveil a comprehensive political strategy under the theme: “Leadership Redefined for Desired Growth and Development in Oyo State.”
“I am not in this race merely to participate,” he affirmed. “I am committed to working with the people of Oyo State to reposition our state as a pacesetter and a catalyst for the emergence of the Nigeria of our dreams.”
