Market leaders and artisans across Oyo State have formally declared their support for the governorship ambition of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.
The groups are calling on Governor Seyi Makinde and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to consider the Speaker as the party’s flag bearer in the 2027 election.
The pledge was made during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting involving 12 registered clusters of market and traders’ associations.
Held at the Apex Event Centre in Gate, Ibadan, the gathering brought together Babalojas, Iyalojas, and representatives of major trading bodies from all 33 local government areas.
A Grassroots Call for the PDP Ticket
At the gathering, the leadership of the associations collectively appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde and other influential figures within the PDP to support Ogundoyin’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate. They cited his extensive leadership experience and deep grassroots connection with traders and artisans as key assets.
The associations present included:
- Oyo State Joint Traders Association
- Oyo State Markets Men and Women Association
- Association of Commodity and Foodstuff Dealers of Nigeria
- National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTs)
- The Progressive Traders and Artisans group
Other influential bodies such as NATMALC and the Food Canteen Union also aligned in support of the Speaker’s 2027 Governorship aspiration.
Honouring the Legacy of Late Iyaloja General Tina Ogundoyin
Speaking for the traders, Chief (Mrs) Odunayo Kayode Danjuma, National Woman Leader of NANTs, described the decision as both symbolic and historic. She linked the move to the enduring legacy of the late acting Iyaloja General of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Justina Iyabo Ogundoyin.
The late matriarch served as Iyaloja-General of Ibarapaland and made significant contributions to the growth of market associations. Chief Mrs Danjuma explained that backing her son is a form of collective appreciation for her service.
“This is a payback for her years of dedication and the development she brought to market associations across Oyo State. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin is her son, and we consider it an honour to support him in his aspiration,” she said.
Regional Solidarity and Political Structure
The support for the Adebo Ogundoyin 2027 Governorship bid appears to stretch beyond state lines. Traders from Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun were present in solidarity, suggesting a broader regional backing.
Alhaja Najeem Azeez Amole of NYTACHAI and Chief (Mrs) Adebiyi Afusat of NATMALC reaffirmed the commitment of the 12 market clusters to mobilise support. They emphasised that their local government networks provide a strong grassroots engine for the PDP candidate.
The leaders noted that Oyo State has a history of governors with strong market ties. They pointed out that Governor Seyi Makinde’s own mother was a trader at the Bola Ige International Market, Gbagi. This cultural alignment, they argue, makes Ogundoyin the ideal successor to continue the relationship between governance and the trading community.
