The much-anticipated Rural Hangout in support of Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition, Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi’s governorship aspiration and other candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has officially commenced in Ibadan, Oyo State, recording an impressive display of grassroots support, political enthusiasm and widespread public acceptance.
The initiative, powered by the Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Prince Adeyemo Adedeji Ola, with the support of members of their organising committee, kicked off on Friday, November 13, 2026, at exactly 9:00 a.m. in front of the Oyo State Government House, Agodi Gate, Ibadan. The strong presence and impactful contributions of both Olufade and Prince Adeyemo Adedeji Ola were evident in the massive mobilisation and impressive coordination that characterised the programme.
In what could be described as an encouraging start to the initiative, the Executive Governor of Oyo State and APM Presidential Candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde, personally joined the Rural Hangout train at its point of departure, applauding the initiative and expressing his appreciation to those behind the movement.
Governor Makinde disclosed that he would have loved to accompany the team on its grassroots tour of communities across Ibadan but for an important State Executive Council meeting which required his attention.
He, however, assured the organisers of his total support and commended them for coming up with an initiative that brings governance, political engagement and grassroots mobilisation closer to the people.
Following the Governor’s encouraging appearance and endorsement, the Rural Hangout train moved out of the Government House amid excitement, with party faithful, residents, supporters of good governance and APM enthusiasts embarking on an extensive grassroots engagement across different parts of Ibadan.
The movement, which combined community interaction, political awareness and the distribution of souvenirs, received an enthusiastic reception from residents, many of whom expressed happiness at the opportunity to interact with the team and identify with the initiative.
Beginning its tour in Ibadan North Local Government, the team visited several communities and locations, including NTA Road, Idi Omo, Irefin, Alawada, Oke Aare, Zion Road and Idi Ayunre, taking its message of grassroots connection, political awareness and support for the APM to the people.
The train subsequently extended its activities to Ibadan North-East Local Government, where it visited Oje Market, Ile Delesolu, Itutaba and Ita Akinloye, among other locations.
A major highlight of the Ibadan North-East leg was the arrival of the Oyo State APM Governorship Candidate, Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi, who joined the movement and moved with the team through Iso Obi and Iso Agbo, Iso Ofi before proceeding to his family compound In Ile Seriki at Beyerunka, where he received an overwhelming welcome from residents and community members who proudly identified with him as a son of the soil.
At Beyerunka, Hon. Adekanmbi also visited the Central Mosque, where special prayers and blessings were offered in connection with his governorship ambition.
Addressing residents and supporters, the governorship candidate appreciated the warm reception accorded him and called on the people to support the Allied Peoples Movement by voting for all its candidates across the state.
His appeal was met with an encouraging response as residents expressed their readiness to support the party and vote massively for APM candidates from top to bottom in the forthcoming elections.
From Ibadan North-East, the Rural Hangout train proceeded to Ibadan South-East Local Government, touching communities and locations such as Aye Daade, Iyana Medina and Wesley Elekuro.
The team also graced an event organised by the APM House of Representatives Candidate for Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin.
The federal constituency candidate warmly received the Rural Hangout team, expressing delight at the initiative and appreciating its organisers for taking political engagement and party mobilisation directly to the grassroots.
At every point of engagement, souvenirs were distributed to residents as a gesture of appreciation for their love, enthusiasm and support, further adding colour to the activities and strengthening the connection between the movement and the communities visited.
The Rural Hangout is designed as a statewide grassroots engagement initiative expected to extend across all geopolitical zones of Oyo State. Beyond its social and recreational appeal, the programme seeks to bring APM members, community stakeholders, political leaders and grassroots supporters together to reinforce the party’s message of good governance, quality representation, community development and the Reset Nigeria Agenda.
The remarkable success of the Ibadan edition also reflected the organisational capacity, commitment and political coordination of the individuals who powered the initiative, particularly Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, and Prince Adeyemo Adedeji Ola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, alongside members of the organising committee.
Other notable political figures and candidates who participated or were represented included Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju Ajiboye, popularly known as Omo Iya Eleja, APM Chairmanship Candidate for Ibadan North-East Local Government; Hon. Akinleye Abiola Abdul Rasaq, APM Candidate for Ibadan North-East Constituency II; and Hon. Olufunke Comforter Adeniyi-Olajide, lawmaker representing Ibadan North Constituency I and APM Candidate for the constituency.
Also associated with the mobilisation were Hon. Abiodun Babalola, lawmaker representing Ibadan North-East Constituency I and APM Candidate for the constituency, and Hon. Olalere Solomon Ere, APM Candidate for Akinyele Constituency II, whose presence and representation further demonstrated the collective commitment of the party’s candidates and stakeholders to the initiative.
The massive reception, enthusiasm and positive responses recorded across the communities visited have provided an encouraging indication of APM’s grassroots mobilisation drive in Oyo State.
As the Rural Hangout train prepares to extend its activities to other zones of the state, attention is already shifting to the official campaign flag-off of the Allied Peoples Movement scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the historic Durbar Stadium, Oyo.
With the momentum generated by the Ibadan Rural Hangout, expectations are high for an equally impressive turnout at the statewide campaign flag-off, as the party seeks to consolidate its grassroots presence and strengthen its appeal among the people of Oyo State.
Indeed, the Ibadan edition has demonstrated that grassroots engagement remains a powerful instrument for political mobilisation, community connection and public awareness, while reinforcing the organisers’ central message: APM FROM TOP TO BOTTOM!
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