At exactly 7:00 a.m., as the morning sun rose over Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, a convoy departed the residence of Honourable Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide Odidiomo, marking the beginning of an extensive political tour of Ibarapaland.
The tour took the Oyo South Senatorial District hopeful and Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) chieftain through Ibarapa North and Ibarapa Central Local Government Areas, where he engaged traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, professional groups, market men and women, and other residents in a series of consultations focused on grassroots mobilisation and regional development.
The first stop was Igangan in Ibarapa North, where Odidiomo was received by Honourable Dr Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, popularly known as Ibarapakan, alongside prominent political figures and members of the APM.
The visit coincided with the eighth-day Fidau prayer for the late Grand Chief Imam of Iganganland and President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ibarapaland, Fadhilat Sheikh Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Fasasi Orimadegun.
Odidiomo joined other dignitaries and members of the Muslim community in offering prayers in honour of the late Islamic leader before proceeding to a series of engagements with party faithful and community stakeholders across Igangan and Ayete.
He also held discussions with members of the League of Imams and Alfas, underscoring the importance of religious institutions in promoting peace, unity, and community development.
GRASSROOTS ENGAGEMENT IN IBARAPA CENTRAL
On Friday, October 9, Odidiomo’s campaign train moved to Igboora, the administrative headquarters of Ibarapa Central Local Government Area, where he continued his consultations with residents and community stakeholders.
The lawmaker interacted with market men and women, listening to their concerns and discussing issues affecting their businesses, livelihoods, and economic wellbeing.
His engagements reflected an emphasis on direct communication with the people and the need for policies that respond to the everyday realities of grassroots communities.
Odidiomo subsequently joined Muslim faithful for Jumu’ah prayers at the Igboora Central Mosque before proceeding to the palace of the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Titiloye.
At the palace, he paid homage to the traditional ruler and received royal blessings as he pursued his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate under the APM platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The day’s activities also featured a joint town hall meeting with representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).
The meeting provided an opportunity to engage education-sector stakeholders and retirees on issues affecting their welfare, professional interests, and the broader development of the region.
WORLD TWINS FESTIVAL: CULTURE MEETS POLITICAL MOBILISATION
On Saturday, Igboora, renowned for its association with twins, became the centre of cultural celebration as residents and visitors gathered for the World Twins Festival.
Odidiomo’s participation in the festival offered another opportunity to connect with residents, cultural enthusiasts, and community stakeholders.
Moving among participants and visitors, he combined cultural engagement with discussions about the development potential of Ibarapaland.
He highlighted the importance of promoting the region’s cultural heritage, agricultural resources, and tourism opportunities as part of a broader strategy for economic growth and job creation.
The festival also provided an avenue for further engagement with APM members and grassroots supporters, reinforcing the campaign’s message of inclusive development and stronger representation for communities across Oyo South Senatorial District.
For Odidiomo, the region’s cultural identity represents more than a source of pride; it is also an economic asset that, if properly developed, could attract visitors, stimulate local businesses, and create opportunities for young people.
AT METHODIST CATHEDRAL, ODIDIOMO RAISES INFRASTRUCTURE AND SECURITY CONCERNS
The tour reached its final stage on Sunday at the Rev. Longley Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Oke-Agogo, Igboora, during the Second Annual Diocesan Harvest of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Ibarapa Diocese.
Speaking at the event, which was themed “Harvest of Fruitfulness,” Odidiomo called on the Federal Government to urgently address the infrastructure and security challenges affecting Ibarapaland.
He emphasised the need for renewed attention to the region’s security architecture, telecommunications facilities, and other essential infrastructure required to support economic activities and protect residents.
Among the issues he highlighted was the need to revitalise the Igangan Grazing Reserve, which he identified as an important component of the region’s agricultural and economic development.
He also called for the restoration of an effective federal security presence following the removal of the Army barracks in Lanlate, arguing that security arrangements must adequately reflect the needs of communities across Ibarapaland.
In addition, he stressed the importance of restoring telecommunications infrastructure to strengthen communication, improve access to information, and support security coordination in affected communities.
His intervention placed infrastructure and security at the centre of discussions about the region’s future, reinforcing the need for coordinated action by relevant authorities.
AN 80-HOUR TOUR WITH A MESSAGE OF ACCESSIBILITY AND REPRESENTATION
Beyond the political meetings, religious engagements, cultural celebrations, and stakeholder consultations, Odidiomo’s tour provided an opportunity to interact directly with communities across Ibarapa North and Ibarapa Central.
The engagements brought together different segments of society, including traditional institutions, religious leaders, traders, teachers, pensioners, party members, and other residents.
For the APM senatorial hopeful, the central message of the tour was the importance of accessible leadership, meaningful consultation, and development initiatives that respond to the needs of the people.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, the tour forms part of Odidiomo’s efforts to strengthen his political presence across Oyo South Senatorial District and communicate his vision for improved representation.
Whether through discussions with religious leaders in Igangan, interactions with traders in Igboora, participation in the World Twins Festival, or his call for urgent action on infrastructure and security, the engagements highlighted issues that remain central to the development aspirations of Ibarapaland.
The lasting significance of the tour will ultimately depend on how these consultations translate into practical commitments, effective representation, and measurable improvements in the lives of the people.
For Odidiomo and the APM, the 80-hour engagement represents another chapter in their effort to build grassroots support ahead of the 2027 elections, with Ibarapaland’s development needs firmly positioned in the conversation.
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