Kunle Adelabu with Oyewumi Adebisi and Usman Aroyewun (trainees)
-As RHA increases Ikorodu’s vote target to 300,000
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHAs) in Ikorodu Federal Constituency have set a target of 300,000 votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, with the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, urging the newly inaugurated ward coordinators to take the campaign beyond political meetings and engage directly with residents.
Ayinde gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of RHA ward coordinators (across the Ikorodu federal constituency) and members of the Directorate on Thursday at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Olubi Street, Ikorodu.
The event, themed “Revalidating the Mandate of Hope: A Collective Historic Necessity,” was attended by APC leaders and members, traditional rulers, political office holders, and other guests from within and outside Ikorodu Division.
The RHA Secretariat in Ikorodu federal constituency was commissioned with its conference room unveiled as Senator Tokunbo Abiru RHA Conference Room.
Speaking on the 300,000-vote target, Ayinde said the aspiration was achievable but would require consistent engagement with people at the grassroots rather than relying on the crowd gathered for the inauguration.
“These 300,000 votes will not come simply because of the number of people gathered here today. The votes will come through engagement with the people, our work in the wards, polling units and communities,” he said.
He explained that the inauguration was intended to establish a political structure capable of taking the Renewed Hope Agenda directly to residents, adding that the newly appointed coordinators must make their presence felt in streets, markets, homes and communities.
“We must know the concerns of our people, listen to their expectations and maintain regular contact with them beyond the election period,” Ayinde said.
He also urged the coordinators to work with existing party structures, warning against internal rivalry and stressing that the party’s success would depend on collective effort. According to him, the commitment to Tinubu’s re-election must go alongside support for the governor, senators and other APC candidates in the state.
Ayinde further highlighted the Lagos State Government’s investments in transportation, education and infrastructure under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, citing Gere Road and the Igbogbo – Bola Ahmed Tinubu projects as examples of efforts to improve connectivity and economic opportunities in Ikorodu.
On the federal government’s performance, he acknowledged difficulties Nigerians are experiencing under the ongoing reforms but urged the ambassadors to explain the administration’s policies and achievements to residents.
“We recognise the difficulties some families are facing. However, we must also explain the progress being made, from the new minimum wage and investments in major infrastructure to student loans and social intervention programmes aimed at protecting our economy,” he said.
Earlier, the Ikorodu Federal Constituency Coordinator of RHA, Comrade Japheth Odesanya, described the gathering as the unveiling of a team determined to secure a decisive victory for President Tinubu in the constituency.
”On paper and on banners, we are here to inaugurate the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for Ikorodu Federal Constituency, but what we are really here to do is to show to the world, the team that is determined to deliver a massive and incontestable victory for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in this constituency come January 2027. No more, no less.”
While acknowledging the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, including the high cost of food, transportation and accommodation, the RHA Coordinator, also maintained that the administration’s reforms were necessary to stabilise the economy.
He stressed that Nigeria is experiencing economic growth due to necessary reforms introduced by President Tinubu, adding that Nigerians are also experiencing drop in prices of food items, improved security and massive building of road and other infrastructures like never before.
While calling for more support for the President, Comrade Odesanya urged the newly inaugurated RHA coordinators and members to engage residents and make the attainment of 300,000 votes possible in Ikorodu
”We have weathered the ‘difficult’ but necessary beginning of the reform, we are today in the ‘ugly’ middle, the “beautiful” future beckons to us, only the one who has brought us this far can take us there – the only reasonable choice before us today as a group is to go out there, share that light and ensure the revalidation of the mandate of hope by re-electing the president.”
”300,000 votes are not beyond us, 300,000 votes we shall bring in,” he said.
Representing Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Hon. Lateef Rotimi Abiru commended the diversity of those present and urged the newly inaugurated coordinators to approach their responsibilities with seriousness.
“You can see the colouration that we have in this hall. Arewa is here, South-South is here, diverse groups of residents are here, and a whole lot of people,” he said.
He described the coordinators’ appointments as a responsibility entrusted to them, adding, “I believe you have the capacity for the job. I beg all of you to take this work with all seriousness.”
Also speaking, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, stressed the need for residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), noting that the target could not be achieved without their participation in the electoral process.
“Before we can deliver 300,000 votes, we need to get our PVCs. The PVCs are everywhere and have not been collected,” Ogunleye said.
The chairman of the occasion, Cardinal (Dr.) James Omolaja Odunmbaku, described the forthcoming election as an opportunity for the party to improve on its previous performance in the division.
“This election that we want to do is a total vote, total victory,” he said, expressing confidence in the party’s mobilisation efforts across Ikorodu Division.
Former Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade in his goodwill message said that Tinubu in the last three years has brought back the country’s economy from further declining and hopelessness with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
”He has reversed all the hope of hopelessness, and Nigeria is becoming hopeful.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has worked so tirelessly on security, and Nigeria is becoming well secured. He has worked on the economic doldrums, and today, we can see the light.”
He pleaded for support for the President for second term for him to complete his reform agenda.
“Nobody changes a winning team. He is doing his best and we don’t want any step backward for Nigeria again.”
”For Ikorodu Division, we have said it loud and clear and we are not going back on it. We are going to give Asiwaju nothing less than 300,000 votes.”
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers in Ikorodu Division, the Ranodu of Imota recalled Tinubu’s role in the creation of local government councils in the division and urged residents to support his re-election.
The royal father urged across people Ikorodu Division to mobilise support for the President.
Similarly, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, the Special Adviser on Rural Development, urged party members to communicate the administration’s achievements more effectively to residents, arguing that the party must do more to counter criticisms of the government.
“We, as party members, are not doing enough to support him. We should seize this opportunity to tell people about what Mr President has been able to do for us.”
The RHA Ikorodu federal constituency presented Senator Tokunbo Abiru, an Award of Excellence in recognition of his support for the group. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also presented the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Lagos State Mr Tayo Ayinde with a Leadership Award, for his leadership and support for students.
A book titled, “PBAT: A Phenomenon,” authored by Oluyemisi Adetoye, was presented at the RHA inauguration in Ikorodu.
