Market leaders, traders, and artisans across Oyo State have thrown their weight behind the governorship ambition of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, urging Seyi Makinde and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to consider him as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 election.
The endorsement was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting involving 12 registered clusters of market and traders’ associations across the state. The event, held in Ibadan, brought together Babalojas, Iyalojas, and representatives of major trading bodies from all 33 local government areas.
At the gathering, the associations collectively appealed to Governor Makinde and key PDP stakeholders to support Ogundoyin’s emergence as the party’s candidate, citing his legislative experience and longstanding connection with grassroots traders and artisans.
Groups present included the 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, NYTACHAI, and the Progressive Traders and Artisans group, among others. The coalition represented a broad cross-section of the state’s informal economic sector.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, the National Woman Leader of NANTs, Chief (Mrs.) Odunayo Kayode Danjuma, described the endorsement as both symbolic and historic. She linked the decision to the legacy of the late acting Iyaloja General of Oyo State, Justina Iyabo Ogundoyin, who was widely regarded for her contributions to strengthening market associations across the state.
According to her, supporting Ogundoyin’s aspiration is a gesture of appreciation for the late matriarch’s years of service and leadership within the trading community.
“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,” she said.
She further disclosed that traders from neighbouring states, including Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun, attended the meeting in solidarity, reflecting what she described as growing regional backing for the Speaker.
Other market leaders, including NYTACHAI Chairman in Oyo State, Alhaja Najeem Azeez Amole, and NATMALC Chairman, Chief (Mrs.) Adebiyi Afusat, reaffirmed their commitment to mobilising support for Ogundoyin should he secure the PDP ticket.
They emphasised that the structure of market associations across all local government areas provides a formidable grassroots network capable of influencing electoral outcomes.
The leaders also pointed to the historical ties between governance and the trading community in Oyo State, noting that even Governor Makinde has familial roots in the market system.
They argued that this enduring relationship further strengthens the case for Ogundoyin, whom they described as a candidate with both political experience and deep cultural alignment with the grassroots.Oyo Market Leaders Back Ogundoyin’s 2027 Governorship Bid, Honour Late Iyaloja General
Market leaders, traders, and artisans across Oyo State have thrown their weight behind the governorship ambition of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, urging Seyi Makinde and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to consider him as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 election.
The endorsement was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting involving 12 registered clusters of market and traders’ associations across the state. The event, held in Ibadan, brought together Babalojas, Iyalojas, and representatives of major trading bodies from all 33 local government areas.
At the gathering, the associations collectively appealed to Governor Makinde and key PDP stakeholders to support Ogundoyin’s emergence as the party’s candidate, citing his legislative experience and longstanding connection with grassroots traders and artisans.
Groups present included the 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, NYTACHAI, and the Progressive Traders and Artisans group, among others. The coalition represented a broad cross-section of the state’s informal economic sector.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, the National Woman Leader of NANTs, Chief (Mrs.) Odunayo Kayode Danjuma, described the endorsement as both symbolic and historic. She linked the decision to the legacy of the late acting Iyaloja General of Oyo State, Justina Iyabo Ogundoyin, who was widely regarded for her contributions to strengthening market associations across the state.
According to her, supporting Ogundoyin’s aspiration is a gesture of appreciation for the late matriarch’s years of service and leadership within the trading community.
“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,” she said.
She further disclosed that traders from neighbouring states, including Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, and Osun, attended the meeting in solidarity, reflecting what she described as growing regional backing for the Speaker.
Other market leaders, including NYTACHAI Chairman in Oyo State, Alhaja Najeem Azeez Amole, and NATMALC Chairman, Chief (Mrs.) Adebiyi Afusat, reaffirmed their commitment to mobilising support for Ogundoyin should he secure the PDP ticket.
They emphasised that the structure of market associations across all local government areas provides a formidable grassroots network capable of influencing electoral outcomes.
The leaders also pointed to the historical ties between governance and the trading community in Oyo State, noting that even Governor Makinde has familial roots in the market system.
They argued that this enduring relationship further strengthens the case for Ogundoyin, whom they described as a candidate with both political experience and deep cultural alignment with the grassroots.