Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo Central in the 2027 general election, has pledged ₦50 million in financial empowerment for traders and market women across the district.
Ajadi also promised to pursue initiatives to improve access to business support and create employment opportunities for youths if elected.
He made the pledge at a gathering of traders and artisans in Oyo State, where leaders of various market associations expressed support for APM candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ajadi said his decision to venture into politics was driven by his desire to extend his philanthropic activities to more people through effective representation, people-oriented legislation and policies aimed at improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
“I am a philanthropist, but I want empowerment to reach more people. That is one of the reasons I joined politics. Through good lawmaking and motions that address the needs of the people, we can create opportunities for our youths, market women, traders and other members of the electorate,” he said.
He said his legislative agenda would prioritise initiatives to improve livelihoods, support small businesses and create opportunities for young people.
Ajadi also urged market women to encourage their children to participate actively in politics, noting that political engagement provided an avenue for citizens to influence leadership decisions and promote good governance.
He disclosed plans to provide ₦50 million in financial support to traders and market women to strengthen their businesses and improve their economic circumstances.
Responding to the traders’ requests, he acknowledged the importance of accessible financing for small businesses and expressed readiness to work towards support mechanisms that could help market operators expand their commercial activities.
The traders had appealed for empowerment programmes to help them manage and grow their businesses.
Sanda Praises Makinde, Urges Traders to Back APM
Speaking at the gathering, Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda, Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Oyo State and Director-General of Ajadi’s campaign committee, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as his contribution to political understanding and harmony among aspirants in the state.
Sanda urged stakeholders to recognise Makinde’s role in political reconciliation, arguing that arrangements to accommodate different interests had helped reduce disagreements among aspirants.
He said accommodating political interests and assigning responsibilities without persistent hostility were important to building a united political platform.
Sanda urged traders to view electoral participation not only as an exercise to elect candidates but also as an opportunity to pursue their welfare and the development of their communities.
“The electoral process is not only about the candidates. It is also about the progress and well-being of the electorate. The people must look at what political participation can bring to their businesses, families and communities,” he said.
The ALGON chairman also praised the Makinde administration over security, regular payment of civil servants’ salaries and the timely payment of pensions to retired workers.
He said the state government’s approach to workers’ welfare had helped provide economic stability for many families and urged traders to consider governance and its wider implications when making their electoral choices.
Sanda further disclosed that Ajadi’s campaign committee had resolved to engage traders in all 11 local government areas in Oyo Central Senatorial District during campaign activities.
He said the initiative was intended to make the campaign more inclusive by giving market women, artisans and other traders opportunities to express their concerns and communicate their needs to the candidate.
YK Abass Seeks Financial Support for Traders
The Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Asiwaju Yekini Abass Oladapo, popularly known as YK Abass, thanked participants, particularly the presidents and representatives of the traders’ associations.
Abass, who said he was elected to the position by Governor Makinde, appealed to Ajadi to support traders across the state, particularly through financial assistance.
He welcomed the opportunity for market associations to engage political candidates on issues affecting their members, describing financial empowerment as important to improving traders’ welfare.
The appeal highlighted concerns among small-business operators over access to affordable credit, rising operating costs and inadequate capital for business expansion.
Market Leaders Declare Support for APM Candidates
Earlier, Alhaji Dauda Abiodun Oladepo, President of the Ibadan Joint Traders Association, conveyed greetings to APM candidates in Oyo State, particularly Ajadi.
Speaking on behalf of the traders’ leadership, Oladepo said the gathering was intended to communicate the associations’ position and assure the candidates of their members’ support.
He expressed confidence in the APM candidates’ prospects in the 2027 elections, saying the traders were prepared to exercise their voting rights in support of candidates they believed could advance their interests.
“The purpose of this gathering is to assure all our APM candidates that the traders are with them. We believe that all the candidates will win,” he said.
Stella Modupe Olabode, President of the Oyo State Artisans and Traders’ Network (OSATRIN), also expressed optimism about the candidates’ electoral prospects.
She prayed for the success of the traders and the candidates, urging association members to remain united and committed to their shared objectives.
OSATRIN is among the trade and artisan unions operating under the Amalgamation of Oyo Market Traders and Artisans.
Similarly, Mrs Khadijat Ojolowo Sanusi, President of the Oyo State Food Canteen Association, described the gathering as the beginning of a process that the traders hoped would culminate in a thanksgiving celebration after the candidates’ anticipated victory.
She said traders might not necessarily be politicians but were eligible voters whose ballots could influence election outcomes.
According to her, the associations were prepared to exercise their franchise in support of APM candidates.
Alhaji Mogaji Salaudeen Kamorudeen, President of Omo Ajorosun and Progressive Traders, Men and Artisans, urged the candidates to pay greater attention to the needs of traders and market operators.
He specifically called for solar-powered lighting in markets across Oyo State, saying improved lighting could enable traders to extend their operating hours and support commercial activities beyond the usual daytime schedule.
Kamorudeen said reliable lighting could improve convenience for traders and customers while creating additional opportunities for economic activities.
He urged political leaders to consider the request as part of efforts to improve market infrastructure and strengthen the state’s commercial sector.
Other market leaders at the gathering included Babaloja (Eleso) Kamardeen Olaosebikan; Alabi Olalekan, Chairman of the Nylon Cutters Association; Alhaja Sonde Saudat; and Alhaji Eniola Mutalubi, the Babaloja for Food in Oyo State.
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