Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, will address a gathering of traditional rulers and community leaders from Southwest Nigeria on November 19. The event, organized by the Southwest Nigeria Baales Forum, will take place at the historic Oduduwa House and is expected to attract Obas, chiefs, and Baales from across the six Southwest states. Fashola serves as the South-West Zonal Coordinator for Stakeholders' Mobilisation in the 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The conference, titled "Reelection in Large Turnout across Southwest Regions," aims to mobilize traditional institutions and community leaders behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections. Organizers expect the meeting to provide a platform for traditional rulers to formally endorse Tinubu's re-election bid and present a blueprint aimed at securing millions of votes for APC candidates across the Southwest. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, will attend as the royal father of the day.
Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, convener of the conference and Chairman of the Planning Committee, highlighted the positive impact of the Tinubu administration on the Southwest. He cited major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, economic reforms, and Federal Government support for regional security as key achievements that have strengthened confidence in the administration at the grassroots. Bamigbade also mentioned improvements in trade, transportation, and community-level development as the basis for the region's support for Tinubu's policies.
Traditional institutions from all six Southwest states are expected to converge on Oduduwa House to deliberate on issues affecting national development, including prosperity, security, education, and food security. Bamigbade appealed to Southwest governors to support traditional rulers in hosting the engagement, stressing the importance of cooperation among political leaders and traditional institutions in mobilizing support for Tinubu and other APC candidates.
Senator Buhari AbdulFatai, Secretary of the Southwest Stakeholders Presidential Campaign Council, pointed to the administration's agricultural interventions, including heavily subsidized fertilizer distribution and mechanized farming initiatives, aimed at improving food security nationwide. He also cited the full operationalization of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has helped break financial barriers to education for millions of young Nigerians.
AbdulFatai said President Tinubu has demonstrated unprecedented courage in steering Nigeria toward sustainable growth. He mentioned fiscal reforms, local government autonomy, and targeted infrastructure funding as measures that have strengthened governance and improved the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. According to him, these nationwide strides give traditional leaders confidence to mobilize the grassroots ahead of 2027.
The November 19 conference will bring together traditional rulers and stakeholders to discuss the administration's policies, regional development priorities, and strategies for mobilizing electoral support ahead of the 2027 general elections. The event will culminate in the formal endorsement of President Tinubu by participating traditional rulers and the presentation of a blueprint designed to encourage a large voter turnout across the region.
Key points
- Fashola to lead traditional rulers' engagement on Tinubu's re-election bid in Southwest Nigeria.
