Ondo youths mobilise ‘one million’ votes for Tinubu, demand jobs, infrastructure

Youths in Ondo State have launched a grassroots mobilisation campaign in support of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to deliver “one million” votes for his re-election in the state.

Operating under the Ondo Youths Alliance for Tinubu (OYAT), the group said it had commenced house-to-house engagement across communities, inaugurating its local government campaign structures in Idanre, within Ifedore Local Government Area.

Speaking at the inauguration on Wednesday, the group’s Director-General, Thalis Apalowo, said the strategy focuses on direct, face-to-face interaction with voters at the grassroots.

Mr Apalowo expressed confidence that the group would significantly increase the President’s vote tally in the state.

"The election now is less than nine months away, and there is no polling unit on social media. Every polling unit is located in a physical area.

"That is why we are here - to connect with people physically. When you talk to people one-on-one, it has a whole lot of meaning. It shows that you value and recognise them.

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"In the last election in Ondo State, we had barely 300,000 votes, which is minimal compared to our total number of votes. This time, we are working assiduously to achieve at least one million votes for the president," he said.

He added that the group had established structures from the state level down to wards and polling units to ensure effective mobilisation.

"OYAT is primarily about youth, and we all know what youths want - employment, training and empowerment," he said.

While commending the efforts of the President and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the youths raised concerns over unemployment and poor infrastructure.

The Idanre Local Government Youth Coordinator, Omolengan Adeniran, called for urgent job creation.

"We really appreciate the effort of the President and the Minister of Interior for bringing governance closer to the grassroots. But for the youth, there is a need for more job opportunities," he said.

He also highlighted infrastructural challenges in the area, noting that poor road conditions and a declining market were affecting livelihoods.

Similarly, the Ifedore Local Government Youth Coordinator, Abimbola Sandra Adanlawo, said the engagement aimed to sensitise youths on available opportunities and government programmes.

She disclosed that the group had rolled out empowerment initiatives, including plans for a bursary scheme, a food bank for tertiary students, as well as vocational and ICT training programmes.