Hon. Sadiq Azeez Babatunde, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Ogun State House of Assembly seat representing Ifo II Constituency, has assured residents that, if elected, he will prioritise economic empowerment, development and policies aimed at making life easier for his constituents.
Hon. Sadiq made the commitment during an interview with journalists, stressing that Ifo II is one of the most populated areas in Ogun State and is home to several major businesses and industrial establishments, while also having a strong economic connection with neighbouring Lagos State.
According to him, many people who work in Lagos reside within Ifo II, making it necessary for the constituency to secure its rightful share of government attention and development rather than allowing Lagos to benefit disproportionately from the economic activities generated by the area.
The ADC candidate said lawmakers have a responsibility to initiate and support legislation that will promote development in the communities they represent. He therefore plans to pursue legislative proposals aimed at addressing some of the long-standing challenges facing residents of Ifo II, particularly economic hardship and access to opportunities.
“If the people of Ifo II vote for me as their representative under the ADC, I will establish a strong and effective relationship with the people so that they will always know what is happening. I will not allow a communication gap to develop between me and my constituents.” He said.
Babatunde emphasised that his ambition is not driven by personal interest but by a genuine desire to serve the people and ensure that they benefit meaningfully from democratic governance.
Speaking on his economic plans, the candidate said empowerment should go beyond simply giving people temporary financial assistance. He promised to develop programmes that would help residents build sustainable livelihoods, particularly traders, youths and artisans.
“From what I have observed, empowerment is very important to our people because of the state of our economy. That is why I intend to gradually support small businesses and create opportunities where traders, youths and artisans can become self-reliant. The goal is not simply to give them fish, but to teach them how to fish.” he explained.
Hon. Babatunde also identified healthcare as a major priority, stressing that residents should have access to functional medical facilities.
He expressed concern over preventable deaths, particularly among pregnant women and children, and promised to advocate for the rehabilitation and improvement of healthcare centres across Ifo II, including communities such as Akute, Alagbado, Alagbole, Ijoko and other areas.
He also pledged to push for the provision of essential medical equipment and improved healthcare services.
On education, the ADC candidate described it as a critical investment in the future, saying children represent the future of the constituency.
He promised to pursue improvements in public primary and secondary schools while also supporting residents who wish to sit for examinations such as GCE and UTME.
According to him, such interventions would help reduce the number of young people unable to complete their education because of financial difficulties.
He further argued that meaningful development cannot take place without good roads and basic infrastructure.
He said he would pursue legislative measures and government intervention to improve roads within the constituency, while also advocating for the installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve visibility and strengthen public safety.
The ADC candidate also promised to maintain regular contact with his constituents if elected, saying he would frequently return to the communities to give account of his stewardship.
He maintained that he would consider his representation a failure if the people he represents continue to struggle with food insecurity, inability to pay school fees, poor security or inadequate healthcare.
Babatunde therefore appealed to the people of Ifo II Constituency to support his candidacy and use their votes to give him the opportunity to serve as their voice in the Ogun State House of Assembly in 2027.
