Supporters of Ambassador Shakirullah Jimoh Ora’nkan, a senatorial aspirant for Oyo Central Senatorial District, have dismissed videos circulating on social media against him, describing them as a desperate attempt by political opponents to undermine his growing popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement defending his political ambition and public record, the supporters alleged that the videos were sponsored and deliberately edited to misrepresent Ora’nkan’s activities, particularly his engagements with communities across the state.
They maintained that the aspirant had remained focused on issue-based campaigns and people-oriented interventions, insisting that his record of philanthropy, community development and humanitarian services distinguished him from other contenders for the senatorial seat.
Addressing questions surrounding his ancestral roots and identity, the statement described Ora’nkan as a bona fide son of Ibadan, tracing his family lineage to the historic Ora’nkan dynasty, with ancestral connections to Opabunmi village, near Alabata, in Akinyele Local Government Area.
It also identified the family’s ancestral residence at Oje Atipe, Iyana Iso Eleni, in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area, where Ora’nkan reportedly grew up and attended the popular Oje Olokun Primary School.
The statement further identified another family house at Moniya, Balogun area, noting that the family had traditional title holders, including a Baale and Mogaji, as evidence of its longstanding roots in Ibadanland.
It also highlighted Ora’nkan’s ability to communicate in English, Yoruba, Hausa and Arabic, describing his exposure to different cultures as a factor that had strengthened his disposition towards religious tolerance and social integration.
On the controversy surrounding a video reportedly recorded at Akinyele Pepper Market, his supporters explained that the interaction involved a request from members of the Hausa community for assistance towards the construction of a mosque.
They argued that the video had been edited out of context, stressing that responsible leadership required listening to the needs of communities and responding to their priorities rather than imposing projects on them.
Highlighting what they described as Ora’nkan’s contributions to community development, the statement listed several educational, healthcare, water and empowerment initiatives attributed to him.
Among them are the establishment of a School of Nursing Science at Iroko and an ongoing university project in Akinyele Local Government Area.
In the health sector, the statement disclosed that a 100-bed specialist hospital was under construction at Mosfala area of Ibadan, describing the project as part of his commitment to improving access to quality healthcare.
It also attributed the provision of more than 10,000 boreholes, including solar-powered facilities, across Oyo State to the aspirant, saying the interventions were aimed at improving access to potable water in underserved communities.
The statement further identified the Attanweer School at Moniya, near the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), as one of his educational interventions, noting that the institution provides free education to disadvantaged children.
According to the supporters, the school is part of a wider educational initiative operating across 21 states of the federation.
Other interventions highlighted include monthly financial support for indigent orphans and their guardians in Oyo and Irawo communities in Oke-Ogun, as well as the provision of solar-powered streetlights to communities, including Elekuru and Opabunmi.
They also disclosed plans for a large-scale distribution of inverters and batteries to underserved communities across Oyo Central Senatorial District to improve access to electricity.
On religious harmony and interfaith relations, the statement said Ora’nkan was collaborating with Christian groups, including Elekuru Parapo, towards the construction of a multipurpose hall.
It added that he maintained relationships with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Egbeda Local Government Area and Oyo Federal Constituency to facilitate community development.
The statement also listed youth empowerment programmes, food palliative distribution and plans to provide start-up capital for women operating small-scale businesses among his humanitarian interventions.
While urging voters not to be distracted by what it described as misleading social media campaigns, the supporters maintained that Ora’nkan had demonstrated a commitment to public service long before expressing interest in elective office.
They challenged critics to present verifiable evidence against the projects and interventions attributed to him, insisting that his record of philanthropy and community development placed him ahead of other contenders for the Oyo Central senatorial seat.
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