Lagos market leaders pledge bloc votes for APC candidates

Obafemi Hamzat and President Tinubu. Photo: State House

Lagos market leaders have pledged to mobilise traders for bloc voting in support of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the forthcoming elections.

The commitment was announced on Tuesday by the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Market Advisory Council, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, at a special prayer gathering organised by the council in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development.

The gathering, held at the Blue Roof Pavilion, Agidingbi, Ikeja, brought together market leaders, traders, religious and traditional leaders, and government officials to pray for the electoral success of the APC candidates.

Tinubu-Ojo said the meeting was convened to discuss the forthcoming elections and strengthen cooperation among market leaders.

She reiterated the market community’s commitment to bloc voting but urged the government to provide market leaders with the opportunities and support needed to mobilise traders and fulfil their electoral commitments.

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The pledge places the organised market leadership at the centre of the APC’s grassroots mobilisation efforts, with traders representing a significant constituency in Lagos’ commercial and political landscape.

Hamzat, who was represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, welcomed the support and assured market leaders that their interests would receive attention under his proposed administration.

He said the commitment was reflected in the inclusion pillar of his manifesto, The Lagos Promise, unveiled on October 30, 2026, adding that he would build on the achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The APC candidate described market leaders as important stakeholders in the state’s economic development and urged traders to sustain their engagement with government.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Nurudeen Agbaje, also highlighted the political and economic importance of market leaders, urging them to maintain their relationship with the government.
Prayers were subsequently offered for Tinubu, Hamzat and other APC candidates ahead of the elections.