The Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Osun State have appealed to traditional rulers across the state to mobilise their subjects and support the group’s drive to secure 1.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general elections.
The group’s coordinator in Osun State Chief Sunday Akere said at the launch of the Small Towns and Rural Kings for Continuity Renewed Hope National Unity and Stability programme in Osogbo that the strategic meeting aimed to rally grassroots voters.
He noted that mobilising rural voters will significantly strengthen the country’s democracy.
According to him ‘an election will lack integrity if the majority of voters stay away; hence moves by traditional rulers participating in voter mobilisation will further enhance participation in the country’s electoral process.’
Akere tasked rural community monarchs with taking the message to their domains and urging their people to turn out not just to collect their voter’s card but also to participate in next year’s election.
‘One of the major objectives of the gathering is to consult with the traditional rulers from rural communities and small towns on encouraging their subjects to participate in the nation’s democratic process.
‘We are also appealing to them on the need to deliver votes in their domains for President Bola Tinubu in January 2027. Like we said we target 1.5 million votes for the president in January from Osun State alone.
‘We also spoke on the need to engage traditional rulers beyond electioneering periods alone. Politicians should learn to engage them in governance as the best way to deliver good governance for our people at the grassroots’ he said.
He added that President Tinubu’s infrastructure drive in the southwest particularly in Osun State including the Ilesa-Ife-Ibadan express road Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road Osogbo-Gongonagong road among others is one reason to re-elect him for another term.
Meanwhile the group’s Director-General the Eburu of Iba Oba Adekunle Adeogun-Okunoye emphasised the need for greater voter participation warning that low turnout allows a small proportion of eligible voters to determine electoral outcomes for the wider population.
‘The voter awareness campaign was designed to educate citizens and encourage them to participate in elections irrespective of their preferred candidates’ he said.
He explained that elections give citizens the opportunity to choose leaders they believe can meet their needs and deliver the benefits of democracy.
He also expressed concern about the gap between voter registration and actual participation stressing the need for sustained public awareness to encourage more eligible voters to exercise their civic rights.