Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Thursday inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council for the 2027 general elections, directing members to begin grassroots mobilisation immediately.

Speaking at the inauguration, he urged members to translate its organisational structure into action across the state’s 20 local government areas, 236 wards and polling units.

The governor, who is the chairman of the council, said the inauguration marked a new phase in the party’s preparations, urging members to begin consultations and sustained engagement with voters.

“Let consultations and campaign now begin.

“Electoral victory requires scientific, deliberate and intentional preparation, organisation, vigilance and sustained engagement with the electorate rather than political reputation or the size of rallies.

“Our campaign must be based on ideas, achievements and a credible vision. We must reach every local government area, ward, polling unit and community,” he said.

Mr Abiodun called on party members to take the APC’s message directly to homes, workplaces, farms, religious centres, and professional associations, emphasising the need to listen to the people’s concerns.

He tasked the council with working for the success of all APC candidates, including President Bola Tinubu, the governorship candidate, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and all legislative candidates.

He called for unity and discipline, noting that managing competing interests during candidate selection proved the importance of putting collective interests above individual ones.

“Unity is not the absence of differences. It is the wisdom to ensure that our differences do not become greater than our common cause,” he said.

According to the governor, the council comprised party leaders, strategists, professionals and grassroots organisers from the three senatorial districts, with committees responsible for strategy, mobilisation, reconciliation, finance, security, among others.

Mr Adeola, in his remarks, urged party members across the state to regard the 2027 election as a collective responsibility.

He assured members whose names were not included in the campaign council that they remained part of the party’s mobilisation structure.

Mr Adeola said the council was established to provide coordination and direction, rather than exclude other members, urging them to remain active in their wards and local government areas.

Earlier, Olusegun Osoba, APC national leader and former governor of Ogun, urged members to close ranks, present a united front and work collectively for the party’s success in the 2027 elections.

Mr Osoba appealed to aggrieved members to “sheathe their swords” and work for the party, assuring them that their contributions would not be in vain.

 (NAN)