2027 Election: PDP Candidate Faro Promises Constituency Fund, ₦100m Take-Off Grants Within 180 Days
By Olusegun HOSEA, 27th October, 2026
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Akure South and North Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, Babatunde Faro, has promised to establish a constituency enterprise fund and inject ₦100 million into it within 180 days of assuming office to support small businesses and empower residents.
Faro made the promise while outlining his development agenda for the constituency during an interaction with journalists following the flag-off of his campaign rally in Akure, Ondo State.
He said the proposed fund would provide non-repayable grants to young entrepreneurs and other residents who had acquired relevant skills but lacked the financial resources and equipment to establish or expand their businesses.
According to him, the initiative would form part of a broader empowerment programme aimed at tackling poverty, creating employment opportunities and improving the economic well-being of residents.
The PDP candidate also promised to work towards providing skills acquisition opportunities for 4,000 people within four years, adding that his administration would focus on making existing vocational training centres functional rather than building new ones.
He said several skills acquisition centres established by the Federal Government in Akure between 2015 and 2022 were not being utilised, stressing that his priority would be to ensure that the facilities serve their intended purpose.
Faro said the proposed interventions were designed to address the practical challenges confronting residents rather than make promises that could not be fulfilled.
On education, he said he would collaborate with the Federal Government, the Ondo State Government, non-governmental organisations and indigenes of Akure to improve the condition of public schools in the constituency.
He maintained that the major challenge facing the education sector was the poor state of existing infrastructure rather than a shortage of schools.
He, however, promised to identify and renovate a measurable number of schools within his four-year tenure.
Similarly, Faro pledged to work towards renovating 20 per cent of the approximately 78 primary healthcare centres in the constituency within four years.
He added that his legislative agenda would include regular engagement with constituents through quarterly town hall meetings, where residents would have the opportunity to assess his performance, raise concerns and make suggestions on development priorities.
Faro said the meetings would also provide opportunities for him and other elected representatives to explain their activities, report progress and receive feedback from stakeholders.
PDP Confident of Victory
Assessing the response to the campaign flag-off, Faro expressed satisfaction with the turnout, describing it as evidence that the PDP retained significant grassroots support in Akure and other parts of Ondo State.
He dismissed suggestions that the crowd had been hired, insisting that the participants were party members and supporters who voluntarily turned out to identify with the party.
According to him, the enthusiasm displayed by the supporters had strengthened his confidence in the party’s electoral prospects.
Faro said the PDP was also receiving encouraging feedback from Ondo South, Ilaje, Odigbo, Akure and Owo, adding that the party would intensify its mobilisation efforts ahead of the elections.
He expressed confidence that the PDP would win at least one of the three senatorial seats and four of the nine
House of Representatives seats in Ondo State.
The candidate disclosed that the party planned to release a 1,364-member campaign council before commencing intensive house-to-house, unit-to-unit and market-to-market campaigns.
He added that the campaign would also involve engagements with traditional institutions and community stakeholders to explain the party’s programmes and persuade voters to support its candidates.
Faro said the party would deploy its grassroots structures to reach residents across the constituency, expressing confidence that the PDP would secure the Akure South and North Federal Constituency seat in January and the three House of Assembly seats in the area in February.
Promises Measures to Protect Votes
On concerns about possible electoral malpractice, Faro said the party was preparing to protect its votes through the deployment of trained polling agents and other measures to monitor the electoral process.
He disclosed that the party had already identified several agents and would commence further training and provide incentives to reduce the risk of compromise on election day.
According to him, the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results, where practicable under the applicable electoral framework, would help limit opportunities for manipulation.
He acknowledged the possibility of inducements by rival parties but said the PDP had strategies to counter such practices.
Addressing concerns about voter intimidation, Faro expressed optimism that the election would be peaceful, urging residents to turn out and exercise their voting rights without fear.
He said the party had measures to respond to possible intimidation and disruptions during the electoral process, adding that voters should be allowed to make their choices freely.
Pledges Accountability and Inclusive Governance
Faro said his proposed administration would prioritise accessibility, accountability and regular communication with constituents, promising that residents would have opportunities to express their concerns and receive feedback on government activities.
He maintained that his focus would be on delivering measurable results in employment, skills development, education, healthcare and poverty reduction.
The PDP candidate said he intended to remain actively involved in addressing the needs of the constituency rather than adopt what he described as the conventional approach of politicians who become inaccessible after winning elections.
He expressed hope that, by the end of his four-year tenure, thousands of residents would have benefited from interventions capable of improving their livelihoods and reducing poverty.
Faro called on the people of Akure to support the PDP, promising to work closely with stakeholders and journalists to ensure that the party’s programmes were communicated effectively to the electorate.
