By Emmanuel Daniji

The Igbogbo market community in Ikorodu Division became the centre of a political mobilisation exercise on Tuesday as the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs.) Dr. Mujidat Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, met with traders and community leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu-Ojo visited the Aafin Adeboruwa in Igbogbo on September 23, where she was received by the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, and the Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun. The gathering later extended to market men and women from across the community.

The meeting focused on grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Addressing the traders, Tinubu-Ojo highlighted the size and reach of market associations across Nigeria and urged them to take the mobilisation beyond the gathering by engaging their various markets, families and communities.

She called on the traders to remain involved in the political process and use their networks to encourage participation and support for Tinubu and the APC.

Aroyewun also appealed to residents and traders to sustain their support for the President, while pointing to federal interventions and representation in Ikorodu Division.

He specifically acknowledged the roles of Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, and Rep. Babajimi Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, in development efforts in the area.

“We should thank Mr President for all he has done. There are more projects to come, and in Igbogbo Kingdom, we are behind him,” Aroyewun said, according to the report.

The council chairman further encouraged market leaders to take the message back to their respective markets and communities as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.

From the traditional institution, Oba Kasali conveyed greetings to President Tinubu and expressed support for the mobilisation taking place in the kingdom. He also prayed for peace, unity and progress in Igbogbo, Ikorodu Division and Lagos State.

The event also drew the Iya Oloja General of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Chief (Mrs.) Ashake Wahab Sonubi, who led a large turnout of market men and women from the council area.

Aroyewun commended Sonubi for her mobilisation efforts and acknowledged the role of market leaders in connecting political messages with communities at the grassroots.

Tinubu-Ojo’s involvement in grassroots mobilisation is not new. In August, a national forum of former councillors said representatives of the Iyaloja-General’s office had urged grassroots leaders to use their experience to strengthen connections between government and citizens while promoting the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Igbogbo meeting therefore adds another layer to the political activity already taking place across Lagos as parties and political actors begin building their grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

For the traders and community leaders who attended the gathering, the immediate message was clear: market associations and community networks are increasingly becoming important spaces for political engagement as the election season approaches.