It was an emotional and celebratory homecoming for the Oyo State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi, as he returned to Bodija International Market in Ibadan North Local Government Area, where he visited the shop of his biological mother, popularly known as Iya Elelelubo, a trader who sells unprocessed yam flour (elubo ikokoro).
The visit, which attracted party leaders, campaign officials, market associations, community representatives and a large gathering of supporters, began at the M.R.S. Filling Station, the point of convergence, before the procession moved into the market.
The movement was led by the Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, and featured the APM Chairman in Ibadan North Local Government, Comrade Mustapha Ademuyiwa; Oyo State APM Campaign Director-General for the presidential and governorship elections, Dr. Nureni Adeniran; Deputy chief of staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Adeyinka Adeniyi Bibire, Chairman, Oyo state housing corporation, Hon. Demola omotoso and lawmakers representing Ibadan North at the National and State Assemblies, including Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle DON, representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency; Hon. Olufunke Comforter, representing Ibadan North Constituency I in the Oyo State House of Assembly; and Hon. Adebayo Babajide Gabriel, representing Ibadan North Constituency II.
Also present were the Oyo State APM Campaign Director of the Women mobilization, Hon. Ramota Agberemi Dabo, alongside other campaign officials, party leaders, party faithful and supporters.
In a show of respect for the traditional leadership of the market, Hon. Olufade led Hon. Adekanmbi, his wife, Dr. Olukemi Adekanmbi, and the entire delegation to the office of the Babaloja of Bodija Market, Alhaji S.A. Jimoh, who warmly received them.
The governorship candidate and his entourage thereafter embarked on a walk through the market amid chants of support from traders and residents who gathered along the route.
The most emotional moment of the visit came when Adekanmbi arrived at his biological mother’s shop, where traders dealing in elubo ikokoro and other food commodities, including rice, beans, yam, maize, gari, pepper and other foodstuffs, gathered to welcome him.
The traders expressed excitement at receiving one of their own, describing the moment as significant because of Adekanmbi’s connection to the market community through his mother’s trade.
Addressing the traders, Adekanmbi reflected on his childhood experiences at the market and the sacrifices of his mother, recalling how he spent time at the shop, assisted her and ran errands while growing up.
He said proceeds from his mother’s elubo ikokoro business contributed to his upbringing and education, describing his journey as a reflection of the opportunities available to people from humble backgrounds.
Adekanmbi said his story aligned with the message of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration that, according to him, “a son of nobody can become somebody,” adding that he also represents that possibility.
He assured the traders that if elected governor, his administration would focus on improving the business environment for market operators through infrastructure development, security support, empowerment initiatives and policies aimed at helping small businesses thrive.
He specifically pledged to reconstruct the internal road network within Bodija Market, assuring traders that the improvement would make movement of goods and services easier.
His wife, Dr. Olukemi Adekanmbi, appreciated the traders for the warm reception given to her husband and the delegation, assuring them that their show of love and support would be remembered.
The representatives of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Olufade, Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle DON, Hon. Olufunke Comforter and Hon. Babajide Gabriel also appreciated the elubo ikokoro traders for their hospitality and promised continued quality representation.
The team later moved to the Bodija plank market area, where Adekanmbi commissioned a fire station constructed and donated by the late Ibadan North Federal Representative, Hon. Musiliu Akinremi Olaide, popularly known as Jagaban.
Adekanmbi described the project as a demonstration of commitment to the welfare and safety of the people, particularly traders whose businesses could be affected by fire incidents.
He commended the late lawmaker for what he described as his dedication to bringing development closer to the people and assured that the legacy of beneficial projects would be sustained.
He also expressed confidence in the current representative of Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle DON, urging continued support for quality representation.
From the fire station, the delegation proceeded to the Bodija Isopako Town Hall for an engagement with the leadership of the plank market association.
The association chairman, Alhaji Alimi Dauda Ajadi, presented the concerns and expectations of traders ahead of the election.
Responding, Adekanmbi thanked the association for the reception and promised to provide what he described as an enabling environment for businesses to operate effectively.
The APM Campaign Director-General, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, also appreciated the traders for their support and spoke on the party’s development agenda.
The team later proceeded to the Oderinlo Ultramodern Complex and Motor Park, where Adekanmbi met with market associations, trade groups and community representatives.
At the gathering, the Babaloja of Ibadan North Local Government, Alhaji Muniru Bolaji, expressed support for Adekanmbi while urging him to fulfil his commitments if elected.
The Babaloja of Bodija Market, Alhaji S.A. Jimoh, appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for presenting what he described as a capable successor and appealed to Adekanmbi not to forget Bodija Market in his administration.
Similar appeals were made by the Chairman of Bodija Market, Alhaji Dauda Adegbenjo (Oke Darosa) , chairman of butchers association, and the Chairman of the Elubo Grinders Association, Alhaji Abass.
Representatives of the Arewa community expressed their support for APM candidates, while members of the Igbo community also pledged support, citing what they described as the achievements of the Makinde administration.
Addressing the gathering, Adekanmbi thanked the market associations and communities for their warm reception, saying he appreciated their gesture and would not take it for granted.
He said he had listened to their demands and described himself as an ambassador of market men and women because of his background as the son of a market woman.
He reiterated his commitment to creating policies and programmes that would support traders and improve commercial activities across Oyo State.
Adekanmbi again pledged that the inner roads of Bodija Market would be the first new road project he would undertake if elected governor.
He thanked the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for giving him the opportunity to contest under the APM platform as the governorship candidate, describing him as a developmental leader who had contributed immensely to the development and progress of Oyo State.
Adekanmbi promised to complete ongoing projects of the present administration, sustain existing achievements and pursue further development initiatives across the state.
The Bodija visit ended as a blend of political engagement and personal history, with Adekanmbi presenting his upbringing through his mother’s market business as a central part of his message to traders and residents.
