Speaker Abbas swears in Oyo’s newly elected lawmaker, Folajimi Oyekunle
By Adejayan Gbenga –
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday, swore in Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle Sunday, popularly known as “Don,” as the newly elected member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber.
Oyekunle, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was elected during the bye-election held on August 16, 2025, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The exercise was conducted to fill vacancies created by the deaths of some serving lawmakers and a political appointment.
The brief swearing-in ceremony took place during Tuesday’s plenary at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. Speaker Abbas congratulated the new lawmaker and urged him to contribute meaningfully to national development through quality representation.
He now joins four other newly elected lawmakers who were sworn in to replace members lost to death or political transitions. Those included Ekene Adams (Kaduna), Isa Dogonyaro (Jigawa), and Olaide Akinremi (Oyo), who all passed away in 2024, while Oriyomi Onanuga (Ogun) died earlier in 2025.
The fifth vacancy was created following the nomination of Hon. Dennis Idahosa, representing Ovia South-West, as running mate to Senator Monday Okpebholo in the 2024 Edo State governorship election. Idahosa’s resignation necessitated another bye-election in Edo State.
According to INEC, the APC secured victories in four of the five bye-elections, while the PDP clinched one seat — the Ibadan North Federal Constituency — through Oyekunle’s success. Other winners include Omosede Igbinedion (Edo), Joseph Bagudu (Kaduna), and Mukhtar Rabiu (Jigawa).
