Lekan Yusuf, Ibadan
Mandate’23, an All Progressives Congress (APC) support group in Oyo State, has intensified its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming general elections, urging members to unite behind the party and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates.
The group made the call at its Oyo State General Meeting held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Elekuro High School, Oke-Ogbere, Akanran Road, Ibadan, where party leaders and members reaffirmed their commitment to the APC and its electoral success.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of Mandate’23 and Chief Coordinator of the CPCC of Support Groups in Oyo State, Hon. Yemi Akinwale ‘JP’ (Havana), commended members for their loyalty, commitment and sacrifices since the establishment of the movement.
Akinwale described Mandate’23 as a movement founded on genuine love for the APC and belief in progressive governance, urging members to remain steadfast in promoting the party at the grassroots.
He highlighted the policies and programmes of President Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy, unification of the foreign exchange market, infrastructure development, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), efforts towards local government autonomy, wage awards, compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, security funding and agricultural interventions.
According to him, although the administration’s reforms have brought temporary economic difficulties, they are necessary for long-term national development.
He appealed to Nigerians and APC members to exercise patience with the President, expressing optimism that the reforms would yield positive results.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan; it is a covenant,” Akinwale said, urging members to explain the administration’s policies in simple language to residents in their communities.
He charged local government, ward, polling unit and area coordinators to intensify mobilisation and canvassing through house-to-house campaigns, stressing that no polling unit should be left behind.
The state coordinator also called on members to embrace all APC candidates presented by the party, support them irrespective of individual interests and refrain from anti-party activities.
He emphasised that unity and loyalty were essential to the party’s success, urging members to put collective interests above personal ambitions.
Akinwale specially appreciated the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Engr. Olasunkanmi Joseph Tegbe, for his encouragement and fatherly support for Mandate’23.
He also acknowledged the group’s National Leader, Hon. Engr. Taiwo Michael Akintola (TMA), for his support.
He further commended the National Leader of the TSG Advocacy Hub, Hon. Hafis Oladejo, for his purposeful leadership, which he said had contributed to Mandate’23 being rated among the five best-performing support groups under the Tinubu Support Group Advocacy Hub in Oyo State.
The meeting also featured an interview with Kareem Olabiyi, popularly known as Weydem, who represented the APC Chairman in Ona Ara Local Government, Prince Kolawole Ogundipe.
Olabiyi described the gathering as a Mandate’23 support group meeting rather than a general party meeting, explaining that its major objective was to encourage members to strengthen the APC’s support base ahead of the next general election.
He expressed satisfaction with the turnout, describing Mandate’23’s mobilisation efforts as encouraging and expressing confidence in the APC’s electoral prospects in Oyo State.
According to him, Mandate’23 has coordinators across all local government areas of the state, while meetings are organised by constituencies to address logistical challenges and ensure wider participation.
Explaining the absence of representatives from some areas, including Oke-Ogun, Olabiyi said the meeting was mainly for members from Egbeda and Ona Ara Federal Constituency, adding that subsequent meetings would be held in other parts of the state.
He urged APC members to support the party wholeheartedly, irrespective of the factions or support groups to which they belonged.
Olabiyi also called on members to accept party decisions and work together, noting that individual political aspirations should not undermine unity.
“You may aspire to one position, but God may have other plans for you. We must learn to accept the outcome of events and work together because united we stand, divided we fall,” he said.
On the APC’s chances in the forthcoming general election, Olabiyi expressed confidence that the political atmosphere in Oyo State favoured the party.
He argued that divisions within opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Action Democratic Party (ADP), could affect their ability to mount a strong challenge against the APC.
Olabiyi maintained that the APC’s size and grassroots structure gave it an advantage, while expressing the hope that the party would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.
As part of efforts to encourage greater commitment and strengthen grassroots activities, the leadership of Mandate’23, led by Akinwale and other leaders, appreciated both local government coordinators and ward coordinators with tokens in recognition of their efforts, dedication and active participation in the group’s activities.
The gesture was also intended to motivate the coordinators to sustain their contributions and intensify mobilisation across their respective local government and wards.
The leadership commended members for their commitment and dedication, urging them to remain active and work collectively towards achieving the group’s objectives.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for unity, discipline and sustained grassroots mobilisation, as Mandate’23 reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the APC and supporting President Tinubu and other party candidates ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Akinwale concluded by describing Mandate’23 as the grassroots engine of APC victory, expressing confidence in the party’s future and calling for continued support for the President, Oyo State and Nigeria.
