The drive to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections gained fresh momentum in Ikorodu as Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, took the “Ikorodu Division Road to 250,000 Votes” engagement to Imota and Ijede Local Council Development Areas.
Tagged “Engagement with Jimi Benson,” the programme brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders, market leaders, youths, CDC and CDA representatives and other grassroots actors to discuss stronger community participation and strategies for achieving the division’s 250,000-vote ambition.
Ranodu of Imota Urges Residents to Back Tinubu, APC
The Ranodu of Imota Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, called on residents of Imota to massively support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
The monarch highlighted what he described as the contributions of President Tinubu to the growth and development of Imota, recalling the circumstances surrounding the establishment of Imota LCDA.
Oba Agoro said the existence of Imota LCDA could be traced to the intervention of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging residents not to forget the role he played in bringing the council into existence.
The monarch also drew attention to the Imota Rice Mill, describing it as an important development in the area with potential to contribute to food production, employment and economic growth.
He further commended Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson for his interventions in Imota LCDA, citing the construction of what he described as a world-class hospital, road projects and other developmental initiatives.
Oba Agoro therefore appealed to residents to reciprocate these interventions by giving President Tinubu and the APC candidates overwhelming support at the polls in 2027.
Benson Seeks Better Electoral Performance
Speaking during the engagement in Imota and Ijede, Rep. Babajimi Benson thanked residents for their support for the APC and President Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
He, however, said the votes recorded in Imota and Ijede not sufficiently reflect the level of support he expected, noting that the council gave the President slightly above 4,000 and 5000 votes respectively.
Benson urged residents to improve on the figure in 2027, particularly in view of projects and interventions he said have been delivered in the community.
He also conveyed messages from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, assuring residents that additional development projects were expected in Imota and across the Ikorodu Federal Constituency.
Imota Chairman Commends Benson
The Executive Chairman of Imota LCDA, Hon. Benson Sunday, applauded Rep. Benson for his contributions to the development of the council and the federal constituency.
He expressed appreciation for the interventions credited to the federal lawmaker and assured him of the support and votes of Imota residents as the 2027 elections approach.
Oki Calls for Increased Support
Ogboni Fuad Alade Oki urged residents of Ikorodu to increase their electoral support for President Tinubu and the APC in 2027.
He maintained that Ikorodu should build on its previous electoral performance and work collectively towards achieving the 250,000-vote target.
Oki stressed that the mobilisation should involve everyone, including youths, traditionalists, Christians, Muslims, community leaders and other stakeholders.
He particularly encouraged young people to become active participants in mobilisation activities at their respective polling units.
Aro: 250,000 Votes Is Realistic
The Member representing Ikorodu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Moshood Aro, who served as Guest Speaker, said the 250,000-vote target is achievable.
Aro explained that stronger cooperation between APC members and community development structures would be essential to reaching the target.
He called for closer coordination among political leaders, CDCs, CDAs and residents, especially at ward and polling-unit levels.
Bolowotan Canvasses Support for Tinubu
The APC candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I in the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly election, Hon. Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, also urged residents of Imota and Ijede to support President Tinubu and all APC candidates.
He referenced areas such as education, student financing, infrastructure, agriculture, youth empowerment, social intervention programmes and business support while highlighting policies and initiatives of the Tinubu administration.
Bolowotan called on residents to take these interventions into consideration when making their electoral decisions in 2027.
Sanwoola Advocates Stronger APC-CDA Collaboration
Director-General of the Road to 250,000 Votes initiative, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, emphasised the importance of creating a stronger working relationship between the APC political structure and grassroots community organisations.
He noted that CDCs and CDAs maintain direct relationships with residents and therefore have an important role to play in effective mobilisation.
Sanwoola identified communication gaps between some political office holders and community development leaders and called for these gaps to be addressed.
He stressed that stronger collaboration would make it easier to reach voters and coordinate mobilisation down to the polling-unit level.
Ijede Stakeholders Join Mobilisation Drive
The engagement also moved to Ijede LCDA, where Executive Chairman Mayoress Motunrayo Alogba Gbadebo hosted political office holders, community leaders and other stakeholders.
The meeting provided an opportunity for participants to discuss grassroots organisation, electoral participation and ways of strengthening cooperation between political structures and community networks.
Stakeholders at both Imota and Ijede stressed the importance of sustained engagement and effective coordination as the division works towards its 250,000-vote objective.
Olabanji-Oba Speaks to Quickgist Media
At the conclusion of the engagement, Aarebirin Hon. Princess Dr. Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Commissioner for the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, granted an exclusive interview to Quickgist Media.
She urged political stakeholders and residents to remain committed to grassroots mobilisation and ensure that the message and programmes of the APC reach residents across the communities.
Olabanji-Oba also called for greater cooperation among political leaders, CDCs, CDAs, youths and other grassroots stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.
The engagement ended with a renewed call for stronger grassroots coordination as Ikorodu Division continues its push towards the 250,000-vote target.
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