The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ojo Federal Constituency through its Campaign Council, has intensified its engagement with stakeholders in the area holding meetings with Baales of various communities in the Federal Constituency as well as market men and women in Ojo Local Government Area at different fora on Thursday, 26 January, 2023.
In the the first meeting with the market men and women which took place at the Ojo Multipurpose Hall, the Campaign Council Director General, Honourable Rosulu Olusola Idowu, urged the participants to ensure that the representative of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who represents the Constituency in House of Representatives is voted out in the coming election.
Making a comparison with APC representatives in other Federal Constituencies like Ikeja, Badagry, Kosofe and others, the DG submitted that the nearly eight years of representation of the PDP in Ojo Federal Constituency is nothing but a waste. “This had deprived Market Men and Women opportunities for empowerment and other life changing interventions,” he said.
The DG further urged the market men and women to be proactive in their support for APC. He affirmed that their selection for the engagement is for their influence over a large number of other market operators. He urged them to further engage friends, relatives and customers to cast their votes for all candidates of APC in the 25 February and 11 March elections.
The two state Assembly Candidates who were present in the meeting: Hon. Surajudeen Olatunji Tijani (Emir), Ojo II and, Com. Olusegun Adebisi Ege, Ojo I, were united in their charge. They submitted that the market men and women have a huge influence on APC, and this electioneering period is when such influence should be brought to bear.
Mr Oyedeji Ambali, Chairman Ifelodun Market Association, Alaba International, admitted that they made mistakes in the past by voting for PDP, noting that operators of the market are poised to correct the mistake in the coming elections.
Iya Oja General, Ojo, Alhaja Badurat Okin added her voice by charging members to remain forthright in the coming elections. She pledged unwavering support to the party, leaders and the candidates. She charged members who were present to attract more support for APC through their disposition with relatives and customers.
The engagement was attended by the Apex Leader, Alh. Raji Olorunfunmi; Chairmen Oto Awori and Iba LCDA, APC LGA Chairmen of Oto Awori and Iba, other leaders of APC and market leaders like Mrs Folashade Adedeji Ogidigbo, Mrs Bridget Martins, Alh. Obasa Mureni.
In the second event, which had well over a hundred Baales of communities across Ojo LGA, Oto Awori and Iba LCDAs in attendance, it was a critical session mixed with charge and blessings.
The DG opened the session by expressing gratitude for the huge attendance by the Baales.
He moved swiftly to the imperatives of the meeting. His words, “we have hosted you to this important meeting for the strategic place you occupy in our communities and politics. We have called to appeal for support and vote for our party, APC”.
Hon Rosulu expressed disaffection about the nearly eight years of ‘unfruitful’ representation of the PDP which had limited the opportunities and empowerment accessible to Ojo constituents.
“We cannot continue in this ugly route and expect to attract opportunities like other Federal Constituencies. It is a huge slap on the sensibility of our people, to have a glimpse of their representative only once in four years,” he said.
While he challenged the Baales of Ilufe and Mosafejo to do more in attracting quality votes for APC. The DG challenged the Baales to aid the development of their communities by supporting and voting for all APC candidates.
Baale Sabo; Igbo Oja Nla, Agboroko, Ipaye, Shibiri, Ishagira and Igbo Elerin were united in their goodwill messages pledging their commitment to APC and its candidates. He charged leaders and members of the party to be forthright in its bid on the other.
One high point of the event was the special blessing administered by Baale Agbera Afromedia and Ajewanwa. The Baales prayed in unison for the victory of the party and its candidates.
The meeting was attended by Baales across Ojo Federal Constituency, and leaders and members of APC. The House of Representatives Candidate, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi and Lagos West, Senatorial Candidate were absent at the meetings for the party engagements in Abuja.