- seek inclusion in proposed state police recruitment
Traditional title holders in Ekiti State have pledged to mobilise one million votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing infrastructure development, inclusive appointments and efforts to address insecurity by his administration.
The pledge was made on Tuesday by the Association of Ekiti Traditional Chieftaincy Title Holders at a gathering hosted by the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Ojo.
The association’s Chairman, Chief Oluwole Ogunsakin, said members would deploy their grassroots influence across towns, villages, families and community organisations to mobilise eligible voters for the President.
Ogunsakin said the association was committed to peaceful democratic participation and constructive political engagement.
He said, “The Association of Ekiti Traditional Chieftaincy Title Holders declares its commitment and aspiration to mobilise one million votes through our communities in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“We shall encourage eligible voters to participate peacefully and make their choices freely at the ballot box.
“We make this declaration with a strong sense of responsibility, understanding that such an ambitious target will require effective coordination, sustained engagement and the voluntary support of voters across our communities.”
On security, Ogunsakin described insecurity as one of the major challenges confronting residents, noting that traditional chiefs were strategically positioned to contribute to grassroots security because of their closeness to the people.
He urged the government to involve traditional chiefs in the screening and recommendation of candidates for recruitment into the proposed state police.
According to him, traditional rulers and chiefs understand their communities and are better positioned to identify trustworthy individuals for security responsibilities.
“We appreciate the ongoing debate in the National Assembly on the creation of state police. We are optimistic that the bill shall translate into law.
“We implore the government to consider the inclusion of traditional chiefs in the screening and recommendation of trusted candidates in their communities for enlistment into the state police,” he said.
Speaking at the gathering, Ojo described the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure development drive, particularly road construction, as unprecedented, comparing its scale with the achievements of the administration of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
He said the roads being constructed under Tinubu were designed to last between 30 and 40 years.
“The scale of road construction being undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is remarkable. The last time Nigeria witnessed infrastructure development of such magnitude was during the regime of General Yakubu Gowon.
“These roads are being constructed to stand the test of time, with the potential to last between 30 and 40 years,” he said.
Ojo also commended the administration for what he described as its commitment to inclusiveness through appointments reflecting the country’s ethnic diversity.
On security, the former member of the House of Representatives said the ongoing construction of a military barracks in Ikere-Ekiti would strengthen security operations, create employment and stimulate economic activities.
He acknowledged that insecurity remained a concern but expressed optimism that sustained government interventions would improve the situation.
Ojo challenged critics of the Tinubu administration to explain what they would do differently if given the opportunity to govern.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni, also called on political stakeholders to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying the President’s electoral success required collective commitment.
Oni urged Nigerians seeking a prosperous future for the country to set aside political and ethnic differences and support the President’s second-term ambition.
Similarly, a former member of the House of Representatives, Bimbo Daramola, expressed confidence in the proposed mobilisation drive, saying the target was to deliver 90 per cent of votes cast in Ekiti State to Tinubu in 2027.
He described traditional title holders as an important grassroots constituency in the mobilisation effort.
A major highlight of the gathering was the conferment of a patron’s title on Ojo in recognition of his contributions to community development, relationship with traditional institutions and philanthropic activities.
The Hope
