Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, is setting up a grassroots political machinery across trading hubs to campaign for her father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The mobilisation drive, under the banner of Market Women and Men, is scheduled for a formal rollout this month.
The initiative aims to lock down support across traditional trade associations, artisan guilds, student bodies, and transport operators for the President and all candidates on the All Progressives Congress ticket.
Beyond the presidency, the group will run ground operations backing Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, as well as ruling party candidates contesting legislative seats across the state, a statement disclosed.
The Director-General of the group’s Lagos chapter, Omofunmilewa AdeJombo, confirmed the campaign would draw delegates from transport unions like the NURTW, civil society organisations, and trade groups across all 57 local government and council development areas in Lagos.
“The goal is to take the message directly to the stalls, workshops, and motor parks,” AdeJombo said, noting that the campaign will lean on Tinubu-Ojo’s deep network among market leaders to explain federal economic programs, credit access for micro-retailers, and targeted support for women.
“The early campaign comes at a sensitive time, as traders across major urban centers grapple with the rising cost of goods and commercial overheads. Political observers note that using the institutional office of the Iyaloja-General gives the ruling party a battle-tested network capable of turning commercial trade hubs into high-turnout polling units on election day,” it added.