Chairman Haremu explains why he opened the company’s platform to the APC candidate
— The Chairman of Top Taste Bread, Alhaji Akinkunmi Sulaimon Haremu, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, brought together the company’s workforce and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, High Chief Olanrewaju Bashorun, popularly known as LarryBash, in an interactive session at the company’s Ota factory.
The engagement, held at the conference wing of the Top Taste Bread facility, attracted more than 300 members of staff, many of whom are residents of Ota and other communities within the Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the workers to interact directly with Bashorun on his aspiration to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives, as well as his proposed legislative priorities and approach to constituency representation.
Explaining the reason behind the unusual engagement, Haremu said his decision was informed by an earlier encounter in which Bashorun was called upon by the Olota of Ota, His Majesty Oba Prof. Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, to intervene in a matter involving Top Taste Bread and other parties.
According to the chairman, Bashorun’s handling of the matter demonstrated qualities that impressed him, particularly his commitment to fairness and justice.
“Despite being unknown to Larrybash and despite his close relationship with the other party, I was extremely pleased with his sense of justice, fairness and honesty when Olota, His Majesty Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, asked him to adjudicate on a matter that involved Top Taste Bread,” Haremu said.
He explained that the experience influenced his decision to invite the politician to engage members of staff directly.
The chairman also made it clear that the company’s facilities had not traditionally been used for political mobilisation.
“I have never provided my business platform for political mobilisation,” he stated.
Haremu, however, said he considered the particular engagement a personal initiative arising from his assessment of Bashorun’s conduct during the earlier intervention.
He urged the workers to listen to the candidate’s programme and make their own assessment ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during the session, Bashorun presented his proposed agenda for the Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, highlighting legislation, advocacy, infrastructure, youth development, economic empowerment, capacity building and socio-cultural development.
He said his approach to representation would be anchored on regular engagement with constituents, needs assessment, accountability and collaboration with relevant government institutions.
According to him, a representative in Abuja must remain connected to the people at home.
“Since we cannot all be in Abuja, my representation will ensure all residents and strata of Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency have a voice in Abuja,” Bashorun said.
He added:
“I will engage you, hear you, and represent your interests, because continuous engagement and critical dialogue underpin effective representation.”
The APC candidate also spoke about his support for other candidates on the party’s platform, particularly Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, whom he described as his political leader and identified as the APC’s candidate for the Ogun State governorship election.
One of the major highlights of the event was an interactive question-and-answer session.
Members of staff used the opportunity to raise questions and seek clarification on issues relating to representation, community development, employment opportunities, infrastructure, youth empowerment and other matters affecting residents of the constituency.
Bashorun responded to the questions while further explaining what he described as his commitment to maintaining an open channel of communication with constituents.
The interaction gave the workers an opportunity to assess the candidate beyond campaign messages and hear directly from him on his understanding of the responsibilities of a federal legislator.
The session also brought attention to the relationship between political representation and the private sector.
Top Taste Bread, through its large workforce and production activities, represents one of the businesses operating within the Ota industrial environment, while many of its employees reside within the constituency.
The engagement therefore provided an avenue for discussion between a political candidate and a significant group of working residents whose daily experiences are connected to employment, transportation, infrastructure and the wider local economy.
Following the interactive session, Bashorun and members of his team were taken on a tour of the Top Taste Bread production facility.
During the tour, he observed various aspects of the company’s operations and production processes.
He commended the management and workers for what he described as their professionalism, organisational structure, standard operating procedures and commitment to maintaining the quality of the company’s products.
Bashorun also acknowledged what he described as the company’s contribution to employment and economic activity in Ota, Ogun State and Nigeria.
The visit ended on a cordial note, with the interaction providing a meeting point between the business community, workers and political leadership at the constituency level as preparations gradually intensify towards the 2027 general elections.
