27/05/2026
RE: MISCHIEVOUS CLAIMS ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF ENGR. TOYIN ZACCHAEUS OKORO
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.
Ordinarily, Engr. Toyin Okoro would not dignify such baseless ethnic blackmail with a response, but for the purpose of setting the records straight and preventing the deliberate distortion of facts, it has become necessary to address the controversy being mischievously sponsored by political opponents who are uncomfortable with the massive support he enjoys among the people.
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.
Engr. Toyin Okoro attended St. Theresa Catholic Primary School, Erinwa Quarters Ise-Ekiti where he was the Assistant Senior prefect boy, and later Akinluse Comprehensive High School, Oraye Quarters, Ise-Ekiti before proceeding to Institute of Basic and Professional Studies, Ado-Ekiti. Toyin Okoro attended the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), where he distinguished himself in student leadership as President of the Federation of Ise Students Union (FISU) in 1995 and also the Pioneer President Federation of Ekiti State Student Union (FUTA Chapter) in 1996 immediately after the creation of Ekit State.
His political involvement and service to his people also span several years. In 2011, Engr. Toyin Okoro was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer for the Ekiti State House of Assembly seat representing Ise-Orun Constituency. He also served as the former Secretary of the PDP in Ise-Orun Local Government, further demonstrating his longstanding participation and commitment to grassroots politics and community development in Ekiti State. Prior to this, He was a Pioneer member, Alliance for Democracy in 1998 as one of the core followers and loyalist of Senator Dayo Adeyeye till date.
Throughout his life, public service, and political engagement, his Yoruba identity has never been in doubt. He has remained deeply connected to his roots, culture, and the development of Ekiti State. His emergence in the political space has consistently enjoyed the support and endorsement of respected Ekiti leaders, including Senator Dayo Adeyeye, traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and stakeholders across the constituency. It is also on record that Engr. Okoro once served as Coordinator/Youth leader of Alliance for Democracy in Ise-Orun which later earned him the position of the Coordinator of Ekiti Youth for Adebayo (EYOFA) Ise-Orun Chapter in 2003.
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 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.
Inn Okun o
Signed:
Media Directorate
For Engr Okoro Toyin Zacchaeus.
