2027: Adekanmbi Returns to Mother’s Bodija Shop, Woos Traders With Road, Business Promises

Adekanmbi’s visit took a personal dimension as he returned to the shop where his late/biological mother, popularly known as Iya Elelelubo, traded in unprocessed yam flour (elubo ikokoro), recalling the humble beginnings that shaped his upbringing.

The visit, which attracted party leaders, campaign officials, market associations, community leaders and supporters, began at the M.R.S. Filling Station before the delegation proceeded into the market.

The procession was led by the Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, and included APM campaign officials, lawmakers and party leaders, among them the party’s Oyo State Campaign Director-General, Dr. Nureni Adeniran; Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle DON, representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency; Hon. Olufunke Comforter and Hon. Adebayo Babajide Gabriel, representing Ibadan North Constituencies I and II respectively.

Others included the Chairman of Oyo State Housing Corporation, Hon. Demola Omoso; Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Adeyinka Adeniyi Bibire; APM women mobilisation director, Hon. Ramota Agberemi Dabo, and other party officials.
Adekanmbi and his wife, Dr. Olukemi Adekanmbi, were first received by the Babaloja of Bodija Market, Alhaji S.A. Jimoh, before embarking on a walk through the market amid cheers from traders and residents.

The highlight of the visit was Adekanmbi’s arrival at his mother’s former shop, where traders dealing in elubo ikokoro and other food commodities gathered to welcome him.

Speaking at the spot, Adekanmbi reminisced about his childhood experiences at the market, saying his mother’s business contributed significantly to his upbringing and education.

He said his story demonstrated that people from humble backgrounds could rise to positions of responsibility, adding that he identified strongly with market men and women because of his background.

Adekanmbi promised that, if elected governor, his administration would prioritise infrastructure, security and empowerment programmes aimed at improving the business environment for traders.

He specifically pledged to reconstruct the internal roads in Bodija Market, declaring that the project would be among his first road interventions if elected.

The APM candidate later commissioned a fire station at the Bodija plank market, a project constructed and donated by the late Ibadan North Federal Representative, Hon. Musiliu Akinremi Olaide, popularly known as Jagaban.
Adekanmbi commended the late lawmaker for the project and said facilities that directly benefit communities and protect traders’ livelihoods would receive attention under his proposed administration.

At Bodija Isopako Town Hall, where he met with the plank market association, the association chairman, Alhaji Alimi Dauda Ajadi, presented the concerns of traders, while Adekanmbi promised to pursue policies that would create a more conducive environment for businesses.

The delegation subsequently visited the Oderinlo Ultramodern Complex and Motor Park, where Adekanmbi engaged market associations, trade groups and community representatives.

The Babaloja of Ibadan North, Alhaji Muniru Bolaji, urged the candidate to fulfil his promises if elected, while the Babaloja of Bodija Market, Alhaji S.A. Jimoh, appealed to him to give the market priority in his administration.

Similar appeals came from the Chairman of Bodija Market, Alhaji Dauda Adegbenjo (Oke Darosa), the chairman of the butchers’ association and the Chairman of the Elubo Grinders Association, Alhaji Abass.

Representatives of the Arewa and Igbo communities also expressed their positions on the political contest and commended the Makinde administration for what they described as its developmental efforts.
Adekanmbi thanked the traders and community groups for the reception, saying he would not take their support and goodwill for granted.

He reiterated his pledge to improve commercial activities across Oyo State and said his experience as the son of a market woman would shape his approach to governance.
He also thanked Governor Seyi Makinde for providing him with the opportunity to contest on the APM platform, describing the governor as a developmental leader.

Adekanmbi promised to sustain ongoing projects, consolidate existing achievements and introduce additional development initiatives if elected governor in 2027.

The visit ultimately combined political engagement with a personal return to Adekanmbi’s roots, as he used his mother’s market business and his childhood experiences at Bodija to connect his political message with the traders and residents.