…direct members across council to embark on aggressive market-to-market mobilization
The Babaloja, Iyaloja and Iyalaje-generals in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State have declared their commitment to the 2027 House of Representatives ambition of Engr. Akeem Olatunji, and urged traders and artisans across the area to take ownership of his campaign through aggressive market-to-market mobilisation.
The market leaders, who described Olatunji, the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency, as one of their own, pledged to mobilise their members and work towards his election, alongside other candidates of the party in the coming election.
They made the declaration during a meeting with the leadership of the APM in Oluyole during the week where they commended Olatunji’s performance as council chairman and expressed confidence in his ability to represent the constituency effectively at the National Assembly.
Speaking at the meeting, the Babaloja of Oluyole, Alhaji Mukaila Olalere, praised Olatunji for what he described as his exemplary conduct, humility, calmness, leadership qualities and commitment to the people.
Olalere noted that the APM candidate had a strong connection with the market community, being both an Omo Iyaloja and an Omo Babaloja in Oluyole (son of both late Babaloja and a current Iyaloja).
He, however, maintained that Olatunji’s record of service and personal qualities would have earned him the support of the traders even without his family background in the market leadership.
“Engr. Akeem Olatunji has been a very good person. He is also one of us, being both an Omo Iyaloja and an Omo Babaloja in Oluyole.
“Even if he were not the son of the people I have mentioned, he has proven himself to be a good ambassador and a capable leader. We can rest assured that if he gets to Abuja, he will perform even better,” Olalere said.
He added that Olatunji’s performance as council chairman had strengthened his confidence in the candidate’s capacity to deliver at the federal level.
“Olatunji has performed excellently as chairman, and I am confident that he will also perform exceptionally well as a member of the House of Representatives,” he said.
Similarly, the Iyaloja of Oluyole, Alhaja Omolara Gafari, called on traders and artisans to rally behind Olatunji, warning against allowing outsiders to take advantage of the foundation and progress built by members of the community.
Gafari described the APM candidate as one of their own, noting that he is the son of former Babaloja now late, and a current Iyaloja in Oluyole.
She urged market leaders and their members to take collective responsibility for the success of his ambition by actively participating in the campaign and mobilising support across markets in the local government.
According to her, the community must remain committed to sustaining the gains it believes have been recorded under Olatunji’s leadership.
She also called on traders and artisans to extend their support to all APM candidates in the 2027 elections, stressing that collective mobilisation would be necessary to achieve the party’s objectives.
The Iyalaje of Oluyole, Alhaja Tawakalitu, also pledged to work tirelessly for Olatunji’s election, saying the traders were prepared to support a candidate they believed could represent their interests.
“This time around, we are supporting a candidate we believe can effectively represent the interests of the people of Oluyole. All traders in Oluyole, we are committed to doing our best to support his campaign and mobilise for him and other APM candidates,” she said.
The APM chairman in Oluyole, while commending the market leaders for their commitment, said the support expressed at the meeting reflected the goodwill Olatunji had attracted in the local government.
He described the development as an reflection of the growing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections and asserted that the APC would face a difficult contest in Oluyole.
The party chairman urged the Babaloja and Iyaloja-generals to extend their support to other APM candidates, expressing confidence that they would also deliver on their promises if elected.
Those present at the meeting included Alhaji Chief Mojeed Agbaje, coordinator of Oloja and Alaga Oja, Olomi; Chief Rasheed Oduola, Babaloja of Tollgate; and other Iyaloja and Babaloja representatives from across Oluyole.
Representatives of the APM included a former Oyo State Commissioner for Industry, Engr. Ayuba Balogun; former PDP chairman in Oluyole, Alhaji Adegbola Mukaila; former state lawmaker representing Oluyole, Hon. Lukman Salawu; former council chairman and APM chairmanship candidate, Hon. Popoola Olaide; Oluyole Local Government Vice Chairman, Hon. Niyi Akorede; Leader of the House, Hon. Azeez Taofeek; and Chief of Staff to the council, Hon. Babalola Azeez.
Also in attendance were councillors, ward chairmen, local government political appointees and other party stakeholders.
The meeting formed part of political mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the market leaders pledging to engage traders and artisans across Oluyole in support of Olatunji and other APM candidates.
