By Fashina Olugbenga
The build-up to the 2027 general elections in Ogun State gathered momentum on Friday, October 9, 2026, as Hon. Kelani Bolaji, popularly known as KBJ, inaugurated community engagement ward and polling unit coordinators under a grassroots mobilisation initiative aimed at strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
The initiative, tagged Grassroots Voters Support for APC, was unveiled at Plaza Junction, Sango-Ota, with party leaders, political stakeholders, community mobilisers and supporters representing the local government’s 16 wards in attendance.
The programme was designed to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures, promote community engagement, coordinate activities at ward and polling unit levels, and mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As part of the programme, Kelani distributed ₦5,000 each to 100 beneficiaries, amounting to ₦500,000, in what observers at the event described as a gesture of support for party members and grassroots participants.
Kelani, a consultant to the Federal Government on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), has remained active in APC political activities in Ado-Odo/Ota. He is also the son of the late Chief Kelani, a respected APC figure.
The initiative is expected to strengthen grassroots coordination and encourage sustained engagement with residents across the 16 wards, including door-to-door mobilisation and improved communication between party structures and community members.
The event attracted prominent APC leaders and stakeholders, including former Ogun State Commissioner, Hon. Aare Olayiwola Taiwo; Hon. Olanrewaju Abayomi Bashorun, popularly known as LarryBash, the APC candidate for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency; and Hon. Oludegun Abayomi Okikiola, the party’s candidate for Ota State Constituency I in the Ogun State House of Assembly.
Others included Chief Duro Ayedogbon, Chief J. J. Akeran, APC chairman in Ado-Odo/Ota; Hon. Leye Odunjo, former Ogun State House of Assembly member and Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President; Hon. Kayode Taiwo; Hon. Jamiu Ajayi, former chairman of Atan Local Council Development Area; and Hon. Bankole Solomon, Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President.
Also in attendance were Princess Feyikemi Egbeyemi, a women-in-politics leader; Alhaji Wasiu Dauda Oludegun; Prince Rasheed Ajibose, a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council; Hon. Gilbert Olumuyiwa, Ijoko Apex Leader; Chief Fatai Wasiu; and other party faithful.
In their remarks, party stakeholders commended Kelani for establishing the grassroots mobilisation framework, noting the importance of sustained engagement, effective coordination and cooperation among party members ahead of the 2027 elections.
LarryBash, in particular, acknowledged KBJ’s commitment to party organisation and grassroots engagement, expressing confidence that the contributions of dedicated party members would receive appropriate recognition.
The programme also witnessed the participation of APC women leaders, including Hon. Waliat Ogunbiyi, Ado-Odo/Ota Women Leader; Hon. Feyikemi Egbeyemi; Alhaja Musiliat Akinpelu; and Alhaja Amori Akinbo, alongside ward women leaders and other party members.
Their participation underscored the role of women in grassroots mobilisation, community engagement and party development.
The mobilisation initiative extends support to APC candidates across different levels of representation, with particular emphasis on President Tinubu and Yayi, the party’s governorship candidate in Ogun State.
Other candidates identified with the initiative include Hon. Ojugbele for the Senate, LarryBash for the House of Representatives and Hon. Oludegun Abayomi Okikiola for the Ogun State House of Assembly, Ota State Constituency I.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the party’s grassroots presence through coordinated activities across the 16 wards and polling units of Ado-Odo/Ota.
The initiative comes as political activities gradually intensify across Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with party stakeholders placing increasing emphasis on grassroots organisation, voter engagement and coordination among party members.
