2027 Polls: Olododo Engages Diverse Community Groups, PWDs, Youth, Others

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, has intensified grassroots consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections, holding a series of meetings with community leaders, youth groups, persons with disabilities, non-indigenous residents and community development associations across the constituency.

The engagements focused on inclusive representation, economic empowerment, infrastructure, security and employment, providing residents with an opportunity to present their concerns and expectations directly to the APC standard-bearer.

Among the groups received was the Abdulquawiy Cook Olododo (ACO) Youth Forum, led by Comrade Afeez Kolawole, which briefed the candidate on its ongoing grassroots mobilisation across the constituency’s 23 wards through door-to-door and market-to-market campaigns.

The meeting also addressed public reactions to the forum’s recent outreach at Ipata Market, where pillows were distributed to some traders and residents.

Kolawole explained that the items were donated by supporters as a goodwill gesture and that the initiative formed part of the forum’s broader strategy of engaging residents directly in markets, homes and communities rather than relying solely on political rallies.

According to him, the campaign is aimed at listening to people’s concerns while promoting Olododo’s vision for effective representation.

Responding, Olododo appreciated the group’s support, stressing that the Ipata Market visit was primarily an avenue to interact with traders and understand their challenges.

“I welcome the support of independent groups backing my aspiration, but my candidacy should ultimately be judged by my ideas, my engagement with the people and my capacity to deliver effective representation,” he said.

The APC candidate urged members of the ACO Youth Forum and other supporters to sustain peaceful, issue-based grassroots engagement while strengthening connections with communities across the constituency.

Olododo also met with leaders of the Hausa community and members of the Ilorin Emirate Hausa Physically Challenged AA Group, who appealed for greater inclusion, vocational training and empowerment opportunities for persons living with disabilities.

He reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive representation, announced the payment of one year’s office rent for the disability group and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at improving their welfare.

During a separate meeting with the Akanbi Non-Indigenous Forum, members highlighted challenges relating to access to potable water, employment opportunities and other basic amenities.

Olododo assured the group of his commitment to promoting job creation, youth empowerment and community development while complementing the developmental initiatives of the Kwara State Government under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

At Iponrin, members of the Ita-Alade Community Development Association commended the APC candidate for previous interventions in the community and appealed for additional support in the areas of potable water supply and skills acquisition programmes.

The association also reaffirmed its support for Olododo’s candidature across the community’s 8 polling units.

The series of consultations underscores Olododo’s grassroots campaign strategy, which places emphasis on direct engagement with residents, inclusive governance and community-driven development as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum in Kwara State.