APC Inaugurates Ibadan North-East, South-East Campaign Council, Names Durore DG

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated its Ibadan North-East and Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, appointing Hon. Kazeem Lawal, popularly known as Durore, as Director-General.

The inauguration, held on Thursday, November 5, at Apex Event Centre, Gate, Ibadan, Oyo state capital brought together party leaders, candidates and stakeholders within the federal constituency.

The campaign council is expected to coordinate the party’s mobilisation and campaign activities for the four State House of Assembly seats and the House of Representatives seat in the federal constituency, while also working for the success of the APC candidates for Oyo South Senatorial District, Oyo governorship and the presidential election.

Hon. Musibau Olaojo was named Deputy Director-General, while Barr. Dr Rotimi Okeowo and Hon. Ismail Akindele were appointed Administrative Secretaries. Mr Isaac Abimbola will serve as Assistant Secretary.

Other members of the leadership team include Hon. Fisayo Akintola, Assistant Director-General for North-East 1; Hon. Fawole Taiwo, North-East 2; Hon. Kabiru Akinsola, South-East 1; and Hon. Sunday Babatunde, South-East 2.

Former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, was appointed Chairman of the Committee Affairs, with Senator Kola Balogun, Chief Dotun Sanusi, Alhaji Muftau Adisa Gbayahu, Prince Gbade Lana and Alhaji Omolola Adesiyan as co-chairmen. Chief Olu Abiola will serve as secretary.

The committee also has Chief Abolade Akinyemi, Hon. Akeem Olatunji Akogun, Hon. Kehinde Oloya, Hon. Lukman Adigun, Hon. Muili Popoola, Hon. Isiaq Alatise, Hon. Ahmed Abodunrin, Hon. Sikiru Alli, Mrs Comfort Isijola, Chief Kayode K. Manchy, Mrs Monilola Tegbe, Dr Saka and Alhaji Lukman Ayantola as members.

Heads of the various subcommittees include Hon. Nurudeen for Strategic and Planning; Hon. Fatai Adesina for Legal and Regulatory; Hon. Lekan Adediran for Special Duties; and Alhaji Ambali Abiodun Ejalonibu for Media and Publicity.

Others are Chief Mrs Ajike Alayo, Women Affairs; Alhaji Adebisi Wahab, Youth Affairs; Hon. Lukman Akeem Alanni, Public Affairs; Hon. Sakiru Fagunwa, Security Matters; Hon. Sulaimon Awujoola, Market Engagement; and Hon. Sulaimon Adeshina, Inter-party Affairs.

Dr Fola Akinosun will head the Reconciliation Subcommittee, Chief Shina Olapoju will oversee Community Affairs, while Jubril Dotun Sanusi will handle Chieftaincy Affairs. Hon. Lanre Ajakaye was named head of Christian Affairs, Shehu Ibrahim Yonusimi will oversee Islamic Affairs, Alfa Musa will coordinate the Hausa Group, Uche will handle other ethnic groups, and Hon. Muse Akinola Osundara will head Disability Affairs.

Speaking after his appointment, Lawal thanked the party leaders for the confidence reposed in him, saying he would work with other members of the council to achieve the party’s objectives.

He urged members to work together and ensure effective mobilisation for all APC candidates, from the State House of Assembly and House of Representatives elections to the governorship, senatorial and presidential contests.

One of the party’s House of Assembly candidates, Hon. Aderibigbe Abiodun Adeleke, who spoke on behalf of the other assembly candidates, expressed appreciation to the party leadership for bringing members together.

Adeleke described the campaign as a collective responsibility, stressing the need for unity and a common purpose among party members.

He said the federal constituency had significant electoral strength but had, in his view, lacked proper alignment with the party structure since 1999. He urged members to work towards securing victory for all APC candidates in 2027.

The House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Ibrahim Olayode Iyiola, popularly known as Dudu Alubarika, also commended the party leadership for the inauguration, urging members of the council to demonstrate commitment, unity and inclusiveness.

Iyiola said effective representation required leaders to listen to constituents, understand their needs and respond to their aspirations through quality representation and community development.

He identified youth empowerment and improved opportunities as areas requiring attention, calling for effective communication and cooperation among party stakeholders.

Arapaja, speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee for Affairs, urged party members to work for the success of all APC candidates, from President Bola Tinubu to the senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly candidates.

He stressed that election mobilisation should begin at the grassroots, noting that party members must be able to secure support within their wards and polling units before the election.

Also speaking, Hon. Akeem Olatunji Akogun wished the council and candidates success, urging party members to reconnect with the grassroots and intensify mobilisation across their wards and polling units ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC candidates expected to benefit from the council’s mobilisation include Hon. Hamzat Wasiu Adeyemi and Hon. Adegoke Wariths Alawuje for Ibadan South-East State Constituencies 1 and 2, respectively.

Others are Hon. Olaide Adeyemi and Hon. Aderibigbe Abiodun Adeleke for Ibadan North-East State Constituencies 1 and 2, while Hon. Ibrahim Olayode Iyiola will contest the House of Representatives seat.

The council is also expected to mobilise support for Hon. Remi Oseni in the Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Sharafadeen Alli for governor of Oyo State, and President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.