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Popoola Yaqoub
Identity dispute has emerged around the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Ekiti South West Federal Constituency I, Engr. Toyin Okoro as claim said ‘ he is Igbo”.
Dismissing the claim. Engineer Okoro.said nothing could be far from the truth than the alleged sponsored propaganda against him.
The APC candidate described the report as a desperate bid to undermine his overwhelming acceptance and victory at the just concluded APC primary election .
Ordinarily, Okoro said he would not have dignified such baseless ethnic blackmail with a response, but for the purpose of setting the records straight and preventing the deliberate distortion of facts.
According to him ,it had become necessary to address the controversy being mischievously sponsored by political opponents who are uncomfortable with the massive support he enjoys among the people.
“Our attention has been drawn to misleading reports and sponsored propaganda attempting to falsely portray Engr Toyin Okoro as “an Igbo man” in a desperate bid to undermine his overwhelming acceptance and victory at the just concluded APC primary election for Ise/Orun, Ikere, and Ekiti South West Federal Constituency I.
The current attempt to weaponize his surname for political gain is unfortunate, divisive, and alien to the values of the Yoruba people, who are known for fairness, inclusiveness, merit, and integrity. Those promoting this false narrative should understand that Ekiti people are enlightened and cannot be deceived by cheap ethnic propaganda. The overwhelming support of Engr. Okoro received during the APC primary election was based on his accessibility, credibility, competence, and long-standing relationship with the people.
“We therefore urge the public to disregard the false and misleading claims being circulated by desperate political interests seeking to rewrite history and distract from the clear mandate freely given to Engr. Toyin Zacchaeus Okoro by APC members and constituents.
“No amount of propaganda can erase his roots, identity, contributions, or acceptance among the people of Ise-Ekiti and Ekiti State at large.”
“First and foremost, Engr. Toyin Okoro is a bona fide indigene of Ise-Ekiti in Ise-Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State. He was born in Ise Ekiti, then Ekiti South local Government in the old Ondo State and now Ise/Orun Local Government, Ekiti State, to the family of Late Lawrence Owoseni Okoro of Odo Ise Quarters, Ise-Ekiti, Ekiti State and Chief Mrs Deborah Omolara Okoro from Oraye Quarters, Ise-Ekiti,Ekiti State. His late father, Lawrence Owoseni Okoro, served as the Secretary of Ebi Onisa-Odu, Odo Ise Quarters, Ise-Ekiti, while the present High Chief Onisa-Odu remains the third in command to the Arinjale-in-Council. His maternal roots are equally prominent within Ise-Ekiti, further confirming his deep ancestral and communal ties to the town.
“These well-known family backgrounds and longstanding traditional affiliations clearly establish Engr. Toyin Okoro’s identity as a true son of Ise-Ekiti, making the recent attempt to falsely portray him otherwise nothing but a mischievous and politically motivated narrative sponsored by opponents unsettled by his growing popularity and overwhelming acceptance among the people.
“His paternal and maternal roots are firmly established in Ise-Ekiti, where his family has lived for generations. His ancestry, lineage, and community identity are well known to the people of Ise-Ekiti and beyond. The attempt to suddenly question his identity after his emergence as APC candidate only exposes the desperation of those behind the smear campaign.” He explained .
