DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Group begins Ondo voter mobilization for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Asiwaju Mandate Group will mobilize voters in Ondo State to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027.
  • The group aims to combat voter apathy, noting that only 600,000 out of nearly two million registered voters typically participate in elections in the state.
  • Measures to discourage apathy, including potential penalties for non-participation, were discussed, alongside plans for voter education among various demographics.

A group named the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG) has launched a voter mobilization drive in Nigeria's Ondo State, aiming to ensure President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027. The organization's Director-General, Asiwaju Asagunla, stated that the AMG was established to increase political participation and encourage eligible voters to fulfill their civic duties.

Out of two million voters in Ondo State, only 600,000 voters usually vote, leaving the remaining 1.4 million voters unattended.

— Asiwaju AsagunlaDirector-General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, highlighting the scale of voter apathy in Ondo State.

Asagunla highlighted voter apathy as a significant challenge in Nigeria, pointing out that Ondo State has close to two million registered voters, but only about 600,000 typically cast ballots. He suggested implementing measures to combat this issue, including potential penalties for citizens who do not participate in elections, referencing a past proposal from the Buhari administration.

I still want to reiterate on that law introduced during the Buhari administration that there should be some form of penalty attached to electoral apathy, whether for not collecting a voter’s card or not participating in elections.

— Asiwaju AsagunlaDirector-General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, suggesting measures to combat voter apathy.

The AMG has established structures across all 18 local government areas, 203 wards, and nearly 4,000 polling units in Ondo State. The group plans to focus on voter education and mobilization efforts targeting traders, youths, students, artisans, labor unions, and transport workers in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. Asagunla emphasized the group's goal to ensure a substantial number of registered voters participate.

We are out to mobilise as many people as possible. That is why BTO has formed and supported this group, so that we can make sure that a substantial number of registered voters in Ondo State participate in elections.

— Asiwaju AsagunlaDirector-General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, explaining the group's mission and its connection to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Separately, the AMG Elders Council Chairman, former senator Yele Omogunwa, criticized the Ondo State Government for poor stakeholder engagement within the ruling All Progressives Congress, citing dissatisfaction among some members. However, he commended Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for creating the AMG as a platform that includes youths, women, artisans, and the elderly. Former Ondo State commissioner Prince Solagbade Amodeeni echoed this praise, noting that support groups like the AMG are vital for maintaining political engagement when other party structures become inactive.

But when it comes to BTO, he accommodates the elderly, women, youths and artisans in his AMG.

— Yele OmogunwaChairman of the AMG Elders Council, praising Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for the inclusivity of the Asiwaju Mandate Group.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog