Over 1,500 female traders and artisans from Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Local Government Areas of Osun State have been mobilised at a town hall meeting organised by the APC IBO Federal Constituency Women Forum ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The programme, sponsored by Dr Olubukola Olaboopo, brought together women from different markets, trade associations and artisan groups who converged on Ikirun on Monday to show support for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, while also receiving sensitisation and empowerment support.
Addressing journalists at the event, an APC chieftain, Pa Suaibu Oyedokun, described the turnout as a positive sign for the party’s governorship candidate, saying the gathering showed that Oyebamiji had gained acceptance across different sectors of the constituency.
Oyedokun said the APC had mounted what he described as a formidable campaign across the state, adding that Oyebamiji had been doing tremendous work alongside the campaign organisation.
He said the party’s agenda had impressed residents who, according to him, were comparing the present administration with the intentions of the APC candidate.
Pa Oyedokun said, “AMBO has been doing tremendous work together with the campaign organisation. Because this group has a good agenda, people are impressed when comparing the present administration with the purposeful intentions of the incoming governor. Therefore, people have been convinced, and this is a sign.”
Also speaking, the Vice-Chairman of Odo-Otin Local Government, Olori Adedayo Adeaga, said the women’s forum had mobilised artisans, Iyalojas and market women for the programme.
Adeaga said the initiative was aimed at empowering and sensitising the women ahead of the election, particularly on the need to avoid being trapped by high-interest loans.
She said the programme was based on the belief that empowering women would contribute to empowering the nation, while expressing confidence in Oyebamiji’s chances in the election.
According to her, “We mobilised artisans, Iyalojas and market women today to empower them and let them know that the forthcoming election, which is on Saturday, will be won by AMBO, our incoming governor, by the grace of God. We want to tell them that this government is for women and empower them to stand strong. We believe that when you empower women, you empower a nation.”
In her remarks, a member of the APC State Executive Committee, representing Ifelodun Local Government, Deancones Adefela Ayangbile, said the response of the women mobilised showed their support for the APC and its governorship candidate, expressing confidence that the IBO women would vote for the party in Saturday’s election.
She also noted that the programme featured empowerment, souvenirs and entertainment for the participants.
Ayangbile said, “We are solidly behind our party, the APC, and its candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji. As you can see, the women have pledged their support and promised to vote for us. We are confident of victory on Saturday. IBO women are ready to vote for the APC, and we are winning. We have also provided several things for the participants, including money, souvenirs and entertainment.”
