A massive crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) youths and other party supporters on Wednesday welcomed the party’s deputy governorship candidate in Oyo State, Hon. Adesoji Adedeji, to Saki and Ogbomoso.

The two towns were turned into scenes of political excitement as party members converged on the Saki City Hall and Soun Ogunlola Town Hall, Ogbomoso, for an engagement organised under the theme: “Building APC Youths for Electoral Success in Oyo State.”

The programme was part of the party’s grassroots mobilisation and engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adedeji, who was received amid political and solidarity songs, used the occasion to outline some of the areas he said the proposed APC administration led by Senator Sharafadeen Alli would prioritise if elected.

He identified workers’ welfare, education, youth development, investment and a functional local government system as areas requiring particular attention.

Speaking at the two venues, Adedeji thanked party leaders, candidates and members for the reception, urging APC youths to take a more active role in grassroots mobilisation.

He said the party needed to strengthen its structures beyond Ibadan, stressing that Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun were important components of the state whose interests should be reflected in political and development strategies.

Adedeji likened the strength of the APC to a forest, saying: “A single tree cannot make a forest.”

He therefore called for greater cooperation among party members across the various zones of the state.

On the proposed administration’s priorities, the deputy governorship candidate said education and youth development would receive attention because of their importance to human capital development.

He also said the administration would seek to attract investors to the state in order to expand economic activities, create opportunities and improve the welfare of residents.

On workers’ welfare, Adedeji said attention would be given to salaries, allowances, gratuities and pensions.

He described workers’ welfare as an important component of the Oyo AHEAD agenda, while noting that infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture were also among the areas highlighted by the APC ticket.

At the Ogbomoso engagement, the APC candidate for Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South and Oriire Federal Constituency, Hon. Olamiju Alao-Akala, commended the party’s leadership and youths for their commitment.

Alao-Akala urged members to remain united and sustain mobilisation at the grassroots ahead of the elections.

The APC Youth Leader, Remi Adepoju, assured the gathering that the youth wing would intensify its mobilisation activities.

He also appealed to party leaders to continue supporting young members and creating opportunities for their participation in the party.

Other speakers at the meetings expressed support for the Alli-Adedeji ticket and called for stronger mobilisation across communities.

The programme featured a minute’s silence in honour of the late former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, followed by prayers.

Among those present were Hon. Odedunmi Bunmi Olubukunmi, Hon. Glory Olalekan, Hon. Sayo Ifatoki, Alhaji Wasiu Olukan and Hon. Ajagbe Ibrahim, alongside other APC leaders, women leaders and members of the City Boys Movement.

In Saki, Adedeji also paid a courtesy visit to the Olere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi.

The engagements in Saki and Ogbomoso formed part of the APC’s ongoing efforts to deepen grassroots contact and increase youth participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.