2027: Diya Commends Odogbolu APC Stakeholders As Campaign Council Secures N75M Pledges

The Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Hon. Dr. Babatunde Diya, has commended leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their commitment and financial support following the inauguration of campaign committees for the Odogbolu State Constituency, at which N75 million was raised in pledges ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The inauguration, held at Odogbolu Town Hall, attracted party leaders, stakeholders, elected officials and campaign committee members, who reaffirmed their commitment to mobilising support for the party's candidates across Ogun State.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Babatunde Diya praised the stakeholders for their impressive turnout, loyalty and continued contributions to the political development of Odogbolu. He expressed confidence in the party's readiness to secure victory in the 2027 elections, particularly in support of its governorship aspiration in Ogun West and other elective positions across the state.

The candidates highlighted at the event included Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, CON, popularly known as YAYI, for governor; Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Balogun-Adegunwa as deputy governorship candidate; Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, for the Ogun East Senatorial District; Hon. Rasak Daddah for the House of Representatives; and Hon. Lukman Adeleye for the Ogun State House of Assembly.

Babatunde Diya described the newly constituted campaign committees as a formidable team of experienced politicians and committed grassroots mobilisers, expressing optimism that their collective efforts would translate into electoral success.

Reflecting on his political engagement during the 2021 elections, Dr. Diya recalled that he personally visited all 168 polling units in Odogbolu Local Government Area. He also commended Hon. Lukman Adeleye for demonstrating a similar commitment to grassroots mobilisation even before the commencement of formal campaign activities.

The council chairman assured party members that the necessary resources, including campaign materials, palliatives and logistical support, would be made available to facilitate effective mobilisation ahead of the elections. 

He expressed confidence that Odogbolu would deliver a strong electoral performance, with a substantial number of votes to strengthen the party's political influence at the state and federal levels.

The APC deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun in her address urged party members to uphold fairness, justice and unity, stressing the importance of presenting a united front ahead of the elections. She pledged N20 million to support the campaign committees and called on party members, particularly women to intensify grassroots mobilisation.

Similarly, the APC candidate for the Odogbolu State Constituency seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, expressed confidence in the party's chances of victory, citing the calibre of stakeholders present at the inauguration as evidence of its strength and unity.

Using the popular expression, “Umbrella won ti faya,” Adeleye declared that the opposition had lost its political appeal in the area and predicted an overwhelming victory for the APC. He also thanked party leaders and stakeholders for accepting him as the party's candidate for the legislative seat in Abeokuta and pledged N5 million towards the campaign council's activities.

The Chairman of the Campaign Committee, Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo, described the inauguration as an important step towards consolidating party unity and strengthening its electoral machinery. He said the APC was approaching the elections as a united political family, with a commitment to ensuring that all key stakeholders were carried along.

Ogunbanwo also announced a reward for the ward that records the highest percentage margin of victory among the 15 wards in the local government. He said the winning ward would receive a minibus or, at a minimum, a motorcycle, as an incentive to encourage effective mobilisation and improved electoral performance.

Several party leaders and stakeholders made financial pledges in support of the campaign council. Barr. Dapo Oduwole, Otunba Adesanya Olumide, popularly known as Bobadara, Otunba Wale Osinnubi (WESCO), and Otunba Odunowo each pledged N2 million.

Former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Remmy Hazzan; Hon. Adebowale Ojuri; Otunba Tope Tokoya; Hon. Atinuke Bello; Mr. Ola Olufunmilayo; Dr. Seun Sokan; Mr. Tayo Moshood, popularly known as DayTayo; Rt. Hon. Wasiu Adeniji; Hon. Shuaib Ladejobi; and Mr. Braimoh Ismail each pledged N1 million.

The Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Akeem Adesoye, and the councillors collectively pledged N1.5 million, while the APC Chairman in Odogbolu Local Government Area, Akogun Muyiwa Idowu, reaffirmed the party's readiness for the elections and urged ward chairmen to work closely with stakeholders in their respective wards to secure victory.

Hon. Muyiwa Idowu, alongside Dr. Tayo Lawal, Alhaji Rahmon Olusada, Barr. Yomi Siwoniku and Chief Mrs. Oyinkansola Cole, also pledged N500,000 each.

The Executive Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government Area further pledged N3 million on behalf of himself and members of his cabinet to support the campaign council's activities.

As part of the inauguration, Barr. Yomi Siwoniku, the APC State Legal Adviser, administered the oath of office to the committee directors and charged them to discharge their responsibilities faithfully. Letters of engagement were subsequently presented to committee members by the deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun, and the campaign committee chairman, Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo.

The event was attended by several prominent party leaders and stakeholders, including Hon. Lukman Olalekan Adeleye; Akogun Muyiwa Idowu; Otunba Wale Osinnubi (WESCO); Dr. Tayo Lawal; Ms. Sola Arobieke; Otunba Adesanya Olumide (Bobadara); Otunba Odunowo; Barr. Dapo Oduwole, Director-General, PPP, Ogun State; Dr. Seun Sokan.

Others were Hon. Dennis Ogunnaike; Akogun Deji Kalejaiye; Rt. Hon. Remmy Hazzan; Hon. Adebowale Ojuri; Aremo Tunde Adesanya; Alhaja Ronke Carew (Mama Rontex); Chief Gabiu Odunlami (Double Chief); Alhaji Saula Adenuga; Hon. Olawale Shittu; Hon. Femi Onakoya; Hon. Shuaib Ladejobi; Hon. Ireti Adenugba; Alhaja Halimat Brown; Alhaji Alausa; Ambassador Sunday Orekoya; Prince Samuel Adetoye; and Prince Akeem Ariyo, among other dignitaries.

The inauguration ended with renewed calls for unity, sustained grassroots engagement and coordinated mobilisation as the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.