By Adeyinka Adeniran
A massive crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) youths and other supporters, on Wednesday welcomed the party’s deputy governorship candidate in Oyo State, Adesoji Adedeji, and his entourage to Saki and Ogbomoso.
An elated Adedeji used the opportunity to outline key areas the proposed APC administration would prioritise if elected in 2027.
The gathering, held at the Saki City Hall and Soun Ogunlola Town Hall, Ogbomoso, was organised under the theme, “Building APC Youths for Electoral Success in Oyo State,” and formed part of the party’s ongoing grassroots mobilisation and engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The venues were enlivened by political and solidarity songs as APC members and stakeholders from Saki and Ogbomoso converged to receive Adedeji and discuss strategies for strengthening the party’s grassroots structures, particularly through increased youth participation.
Addressing the crowds at both venues, Adedeji thanked the party leaders, candidates and members for their support, urging APC youths to take a more active role in grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stressed the need for the party to strengthen its presence beyond Ibadan, noting that Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun remained important components of the state whose contributions should be reflected in the party’s political and development strategies.
Adedeji likened the strength of the party to a forest, stressing that “a single tree cannot make a forest,” and called for collective efforts among party members across the various zones.
The deputy governorship candidate also highlighted some of the policy priorities he said the Alli-Soji ticket would pursue if elected, with particular emphasis on functional local government system, workers’ welfare, education and youth development.
According to him, education and youth development would receive priority attention because of their importance to human capital development and the overall progress of the state.
He also promised that the APC administration would intensify efforts to attract investors to Oyo State, with the aim of expanding economic activities, creating opportunities and improving the welfare of residents.
On workers’ welfare, Adedeji said the proposed administration would give attention to payment of salaries, allowances gratuities and pensions, stressing that the welfare of workers is an important component of Oyo Ahead agenda.
His emphasis on education, investment and workers’ welfare adds to previous public statements from the APC ticket outlining priorities including infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture.
Also speaking at the event, the APC candidate for Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Oriire Federal Constituency, Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, commended the party’s leadership and youths for their continued commitment.
Alao-Akala urged members to remain united and sustain their mobilisation efforts towards the forthcoming elections.
The APC Youth Leader, Remi Adepoju, assured the gathering that the youth wing was prepared to intensify its mobilisation activities, while appealing to party leaders to continue supporting young members.
Other speakers at the programme expressed support for the Alli-Soji ticket and called for greater mobilisation across the various communities in the state.
The programme also featured a minute silence in honour of the late former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, followed by special prayers.
Among those present were Hon. Odedunmi Bunmi Olubukunmi, Hon. Glory Olalekan, Hon. Sayo Ifatoki, Alhaji Wasiu Olukan and Hon. Ajagbe Ibrahim, as well as other APC leaders, women leaders and members of the City Boys Movement.
At Saki, the APC deputy governorship candidate paid a courtesy visit to the Olere of Saki Oba Khalid Olabisi
The Saki and Ogbomoso engagements underscore APC’s continuing effort to strengthen its grassroots structures and deepen youth participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
