Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, known as YAYI, has pledged continued support for young people as the Yayi Progressives Movement inaugurated its artisans’ wing at an Ogun East rally in Ijebu-Ode.
The event took place on Friday, 30 October, at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun joined Adeola, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, and party officials at the gathering ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adeola said youth empowerment would remain part of his efforts to serve the state, according to a report by Punch correspondent Taiwo Bankole. The senator welcomed young people’s participation in a solidarity walk held before the stadium programme.
The report said more than 1,100 Artisan Ambassadors were inaugurated, drawn from occupations including tailoring, mechanics, carpentry and hairdressing. Their role forms part of the movement’s effort to build support through trade groups across Ogun East.
Movement convener Armstrong Akintunde said the rally marked the start of a wider mobilisation programme. He announced plans for similar gatherings in Ogun Central and Ogun West, extending the organisation’s activities beyond the eastern senatorial district.
Abiodun urged supporters to campaign for APC candidates across the different elections. His appeal covered President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid as well as the party’s legislative and state-level contests.
Abiodun said the party had promised Tinubu two million votes from Ogun State and urged supporters to work towards that target. The figure was a campaign objective, rather than an election result or a verified count of rally participants.
Regional broadcaster Remo TV reported that supporters assembled at Mobalufon Town Hall for accreditation before proceeding to the stadium. Participants received entry passes and movement clothing as part of the arrangements for the event.
Deji Kalejaye moderated the programme, which began with Muslim, Christian and Isese prayers. Market associations, artisans, students, youth and women’s groups were among those acknowledged by the organisers.
Remo TV also reported a cultural performance by young people from Ogun State and the presentation of a documentary about the movement. The programme included performances by Fuji musicians Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal.
YPM coordinator Segun Kaka described the organisation’s development as an effort to expand its reach and strengthen its structures. Ogun APC chairman Yemi Sanusi called on supporters to participate in the elections.
Adeola thanked Akintunde and other movement leaders for their mobilisation work. Eaglesforesight reported that the senator recalled knowing the convener for more than two decades and called on supporters to translate their participation into votes.
The senator also promised to build on the Abiodun administration’s projects if elected.
Other attendees identified in regional reporting included Secretary to the State Government Tokunbo Talabi, Commissioner for Finance Dapo Okubadejo and Senator Lekan Mustapha. Party leaders addressed supporters alongside the movement’s organisers during the stadium programme.
The gathering followed an earlier rescheduling notice moving the Ogun East event to 30 October. Akintunde said the artisans’ structure would form part of YPM’s wider grassroots network as it prepared further activities in the state’s other two senatorial districts.
Photograph: Remo TV. Dapo Abiodun, YAYI and supporters at the Ogun East YPM rally in Ijebu-Ode on 30 October 2026. Individual photographer not identified.
