The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), Ondo State chapter, has concluded arrangements to ensure massive participation at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally scheduled for Wednesday.
This was disclosed on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting of the group held at its secretariat in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The meeting brought together members of the state executive committee, advisory council, planning committee and local government coordinators to review preparations and strengthen mobilisation ahead of the rally.
The GMT Director-General, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said members of the group had been mobilised across the 18 local government areas of the state, with a target of bringing about 4,000 supporters to the rally.
Yusuf-Ogunleye urged GMT leaders and members to intensify mobilisation efforts in their respective local government areas, wards and communities, emphasising the need for effective coordination, unity and commitment to achieving the target.
He said the group, which is sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was working with other political groups and stakeholders to ensure a successful rally.
“First of all, this is GMT, one of the groups being sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. You can see that we’ve been here since morning with our local government coordinators, leaders, members of the advisory and planning committee.
“We are trying to plan, mobilise our people and ensure that about 4,000 people from GMT attend the presidential rally of our party which is taking place on Wednesday. All of us are getting ready. That’s why we’ve been here since.
“The presidential rally in Ondo State is going to be wonderful. We are being mobilised. We are being encouraged. The Honourable Minister told all of us that this is the time to show that Ondo State belongs to APC.
“That’s what we are doing. Other groups being sponsored by the Minister are also doing the same. Some of our leaders led by Engr. Ade Adetimehin are also doing the same.
“All hands are on deck to ensure that the people of the state come out to welcome President Tinubu and vote for him and all other APC candidates on the day of the election,” Yusuf-Ogunleye said.
A former Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Adekola Olawoye, expressed confidence in the APC’s electoral prospects, predicting that the party would secure more than one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the state.
A former Chief of Staff to the Ondo State Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, expressed optimism about the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with the government, citing its achievements in education, road construction, particularly in Ondo State, and other areas of infrastructure development.
A former Special Adviser in the state, Hon. Olubunmi Ademosu-Williams, described President Tinubu’s re-election as the best option for the country and urged Nigerians to support his second-term ambition.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the president’s re-election project and called on Nigerians, particularly residents of Ondo State, to support the APC and all its candidates.
Among those who attended the meeting were members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, including Hon. Morenike Witherspoon Rennykay, representing Owo Constituency II; Hon. Kolawole Ologede, representing Akure North Constituency; Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, representing Odigbo Constituency I; and Hon. Akinsuroju Nelson, representing Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Constituency. Also in attendance was Hon. Sumonu Tiamiyu, APC candidate for Akoko North-West Constituency II.
Other stakeholders at the meeting included Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Hon. Gbenga Olaniyi, former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and GMT coordinator for Akure South; Hon. Felemu Olusegun, former member representing Akoko South-West Constituency I and GMT coordinator for Akoko South-West; Hon. Adegoroye, former member representing Owo Constituency II and GMT coordinator for Owo; Hon. Rotimi Adeleye, former Chairman of Akure North Local Government and GMT coordinator for Akure North; and Hon. Sogo Ajikiola, former Chairman of Ifedore Local Government and GMT coordinator for Ifedore.
The GMT state executive and other officials at the meeting included Hon. Rasheed Badmus, Secretary; Akogun Akinwumi Sowore, Legal Adviser; Chief Olamide Falana, Director of Women Affairs; Mr Ojo Oyewamide, Director of Media; Hon. Kolade Paff, Director of Youth Affairs; Prince Dapo Adepoju, Central Youth Leader; Mrs Susan Ajibola, Director of Medical Affairs; and Chief (Mrs) Olufunke Adesida, Iyaloja.
Also present were the group’s Director for the Hausa Community, Alhaji Bala Umar; Director for the Ebira Community, Hon. Hassan Ahete; as well as directors representing the Igbo community, NURTW and sports.
The meeting was attended by local government coordinators and other leaders and of the movement.
