- Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, representing the Deputy Governor, donated a luxury bus to Epe Division Baales to strengthen grassroots leadership.
- High Chief Abu Jelili Ododo said Baales across Lagos represent over two million people and pledged support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and all APC candidates in 2027.
- The Lagos State Baales Forum urged eligible residents to register, collect and safeguard their PVCs to promote active democratic participation.
Traditional rulers across Epe Division have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening grassroots civic engagement as the Lagos State Baales Forum held its Epe Division Civic Awareness and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) Sensitisation Campaign at the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Secretariat.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the programme, organised under the “Operation Show Your PVC” initiative, brought together Baales, government officials, political leaders, youth groups and community stakeholders to encourage eligible residents to register for, collect and safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, was represented at the event by the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and Chairman of the Conference of 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Area Chairmen in Lagos State, Hon. Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa.
Delivering the Deputy Governor’s message, Hon. Olowa described the Permanent Voter Card as a powerful instrument for democratic participation and urged residents to play active roles in determining the future of their communities through the electoral process.
“The Permanent Voter Card is not just a document; it is the voice and power of every responsible citizen. I encourage all eligible residents to register, collect and safeguard their PVCs because democracy thrives when the people participate,” he said.
A major highlight of the event was the donation of a luxury bus by Hon. Olowa to the Epe Division Baales. He explained that the gesture was aimed at enhancing the mobility of traditional rulers and strengthening their capacity to carry out community engagement, conflict resolution and grassroots development activities across the division.
The Executive Chairman of Eredo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Ismail Monsuru Akinloye, applauded the Lagos State Baales Forum for organising the sensitisation campaign, describing it as a timely initiative capable of promoting civic responsibility and increasing democratic participation.
He urged Baales to continue mobilising residents within their domains to register, collect and protect their Permanent Voter Cards, noting that traditional institutions remain critical partners in peacebuilding, community development and democratic governance.
“Traditional institutions remain indispensable partners in community development, peacebuilding and democratic participation. Through this campaign, we can encourage greater civic responsibility and strengthen democracy from the grassroots,” Akinloye stated.
Earlier, the Convener of the Lagos State Baales Forum, Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, said the Operation Show Your PVC campaign was designed to educate residents on the importance of civic participation while strengthening grassroots mobilisation across Lagos State.
He noted that the initiative would also deepen collaboration between government and traditional institutions in promoting sustainable community development.
“Operation Show Your PVC is about empowering our people to participate in shaping the future of their communities. Active citizenship remains the foundation of a stronger democracy,” Bamigbade said.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, the Chairman of the Lagos State Baales Forum, Baale of Ijeododo and Oba-Elect of Ijeododo Kingdom, High Chief Abu Jelili Ododo, described the Baales as one of the strongest grassroots structures in Lagos State.
He disclosed that Baales across the state represent more than two million people and pledged that the forum would deploy its extensive grassroots network in mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
“The Baales in Lagos State represent over two million people, and we will use this strength to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections. We remain committed to grassroots mobilisation, peaceful democratic participation and the continued progress of Lagos State,” Ododo declared.
Also speaking, the Epe Division Coordinator of the Lagos State Baales Forum, Chief Doherty Adeniyi, urged traditional rulers to sustain the momentum of the campaign by taking voter education to every community within the division.
“Every Baale has a responsibility to educate the people on the importance of registering, collecting and protecting their PVCs because every vote counts,” he said.
Similarly, the General Secretary of the Lagos State Baales Forum, Chief Adedoyin Rabiu, emphasised the need for continuous civic enlightenment, stressing that democracy can only flourish when citizens participate actively in governance.
“The success of democracy depends on informed and active citizens. Every eligible voter has a responsibility to participate in building a better society,” he remarked.
The programme also featured the symbolic display of Permanent Voter Cards by Baales from communities across Epe Division, reaffirming their commitment to voter education, peaceful elections and grassroots mobilisation.
The event underscored the growing partnership between the Lagos State Government and traditional institutions in promoting civic responsibility, strengthening grassroots governance and advancing sustainable development across communities in the state.
