The Oyo State chapter of the Tinubu Torch Bearers, TTB, has expressed confidence that women across the South-West will play a decisive role in securing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, saying its grassroots mobilisation in Oyo is part of a broader regional push to consolidate support for the President.
The Oyo State Media Coordinator of TTB, Hon. Princess Yetunde-Ajetunmobi Wuraola, stated this in an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday. She said the group would intensify engagement with women across the state ahead of the election.
According to her, women remain a critical force in Nigeria’s electoral process and TTB is determined to ensure they are adequately informed about the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration before making their choices at the polls.
“The establishment of TTB in Oyo State is about taking political engagement closer to the people.We want to build a structure that will not only mobilise women but also ensure that they are properly informed and actively involved in the democratic process,” she said.
“Women are critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s political development. They are present in virtually every community and are often at the centre of decisions that affect families and communities. We therefore believe that their voices must be heard and their participation in governance must be strengthened.”
She said the organisation would engage women and other stakeholders through community-level activities centred on mobilisation, information sharing and political participation ahead of 2027.
“Our mobilisation will be grassroots-based. We are going to engage women in the different communities, listen to them, communicate with them and make sure they understand the issues surrounding governance and the direction of the country. We are not waiting until 2027 before beginning this work. The preparation has started,” Yetunde-Ajetunmobi added.
She stressed that TTB would also work towards strengthening women’s involvement in democratic processes beyond election day.
“Women should be part of political conversations, community development, policy discussions and decision-making. An informed woman is in a better position to understand what is happening in her country and make responsible choices. That is why information and communication will remain central to what we are doing.”
The media coordinator said the group would use its communication structures to highlight what it described as the achievements and policy direction of the Tinubu administration, while encouraging citizens to make informed decisions.
“We will communicate the policies and programmes of the administration and explain them in a way that people at the grassroots can understand. Our people deserve access to information about what the government is doing and how those policies are intended to affect their lives. TTB will continue to provide that communication link,” she said.
Speaking further, she noted that the inauguration of the Oyo chapter has given the group a clear mandate to build a structured grassroots network across the state’s political and social communities.
“We have to take the message to the grassroots and make sure that our structures are functional, visible and accessible. We are going to work across communities and engage women from different backgrounds. Whether they are traders, professionals, farmers, artisans, young women or community leaders, everyone has a role to play.”
She emphasised that TTB’s focus would not be limited to Ibadan or major political gatherings.
“We do not want our activities to be concentrated only in Ibadan. Our focus is the grassroots. We want to reach the women in the communities and create a continuous channel of engagement with them.”
On women’s role in democracy, she said: “Women should not be treated merely as election-day voters or political mobilisers. Women are stakeholders in governance, and they must be encouraged to participate meaningfully at every level. Political participation should give women an opportunity to contribute ideas, ask questions, understand policies and make their voices count.”
On preparations for 2027, Yetunde-Ajetunmobi said the Oyo chapter was building a network that would be present in communities and capable of communicating effectively.
“We are ready for 2027. Our preparation is going to be deliberate and continuous. We have to be disciplined, organised and committed to peaceful political engagement.”
She added that the group would promote peaceful and responsible political participation.
“Politics should not destroy relationships or communities. We will encourage our members to communicate respectfully, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and focus on issues that are important to the people.”
“The inauguration is not the end of the process; it is the beginning of the work ahead. We will strengthen our structures, engage our women and continue to communicate with the grassroots,” she concluded.
The Oyo State chapter of TTB was formally inaugurated on Monday at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado, Ibadan, by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. In her message, the First Lady said the administration was working to deliver the dividends of democracy and urged support for the government, stressing that continuity would enable it to consolidate ongoing economic reforms.
