YPM Hits 55,000 Members, Inaugurates Students’ Wing as Ogun 2027 Mobilisation Gathers Momentum
…Movement welcomes 4,000-member ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum, targets 5,000 students across tertiary institutions
The political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections appears to be gathering momentum in Ogun State as the Yayi Progressives Movement (YPM), a prominent support group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expanded its grassroots structure with the inauguration of a students’ wing and the admission of the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum into its fold.
The development took place in Abeokuta on Saturday during a joint gathering attended by leaders, members, students and supporters of the movement.
The latest expansion, according to the leadership of YPM, is part of efforts to deepen its presence at the grassroots and strengthen its mobilisation network across the 20 local government areas and wards of Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the event, the YPM Convener, Armstrong ‘Tope Akintunde, said the inauguration of the students’ wing was a deliberate move to bring young people, particularly students who are eligible to vote, closer to the political process.
Akintunde described students as an important component of society and a critical part of the country’s future, stressing that their participation in political activities should not be limited to election periods.
He said YPM would continue to create opportunities for students to participate actively in its programmes, noting that their involvement would further strengthen the movement’s grassroots mobilisation efforts.
The Convener also formally welcomed the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum into the YPM family, describing the reported membership of about 4,000 women as another indication of the movement’s expanding support base.
Akintunde said the latest development had further strengthened his confidence in the movement’s grassroots structure, declaring that YPM now had about 55,000 members across Ogun State.
«“This is another testament to our mobilisation efforts in the Yayi Progressives Movement. I can confidently declare that the movement can now boast of 55,000 members across the state.»
«“I appreciate all our Apex leaders, the State Executive Committee, as well as our local government and ward coordinators, for their unrelenting efforts in moving the movement forward and advancing our agenda and mission.”»
He charged the newly inaugurated students’ wing and the members of the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum to take the mobilisation campaign to the grassroots and ensure that their respective structures contribute meaningfully to the movement’s objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, YPM’s political objective is to mobilise broad-based support for its principal, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as well as other APC candidates from the presidential level down to the State House of Assembly.
YPM Leaders Commend Growing Grassroots Strength
Speaking on behalf of the apex body of the movement, the Co-Convener and apex member, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye, commended the students and members of the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum for identifying with YPM and joining its growing political structure.
Odeneye said the development was evidence that the movement’s sustained engagement with communities and grassroots stakeholders was yielding results.
“This is what we stand for in the Yayi Progressives Movement. Our grassroots mobilisation and engagement are yielding results and improving daily,” he said.
He also praised Akintunde for his consistency and commitment to expanding the movement, while acknowledging the contributions of other leaders and members.
“I commend our ever-relenting Convener for his steadfastness and commitment to moving the movement forward alongside other leaders in the group,” Odeneye added.
Students Set 5,000 Membership Target
The newly inaugurated students’ wing, led by Comrade Dotun Opaleye, expressed appreciation to the YPM leadership for giving students a platform within the political support group.
Opaleye disclosed that the students’ wing had commenced mobilisation across tertiary institutions in Ogun State, with an immediate target of enrolling 5,000 students into the movement.
He described the opportunity as significant for young people who wish to participate more actively in political activities and support the YPM agenda.
«“It is my joy that we have a slot in this large political support group, the Yayi Progressives Movement. With my position within the students’ circle in Ogun State, myself and our team are mobilising 5,000 students across the state who are ready to support and key into the agenda of the Yayi Progressives Movement.”»
Opaleye said the mobilisation was being extended to different tertiary institutions across the state, particularly targeting students interested in the activities and programmes of the APC.
He disclosed that the students’ wing had already made considerable progress towards achieving its 5,000-member target.
The students’ leader also commended the YPM leadership for its role in supporting the recently concluded voter registration exercise conducted on campuses.
According to him, the initiative gave students a strong indication that the movement was genuinely interested in their participation and political inclusion.
«“I can’t end this message without commending the Convener of this great movement for mobilising us for the just-concluded exercise on voter registration within our campuses. This gave us the assurance that the Yayi Progressives Movement is ready for the students and stands by its mission.”»
Women’s Forum Joins YPM
Also speaking at the gathering, a leader of the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum, Mrs. Ogunsanya Olusola, praised Akintunde for his commitment to the growth of the APC and political mobilisation in Ogun State.
Olusola spoke during the appreciation and decoration of Akintunde as the new patron of the forum.
She expressed confidence in the leadership of the YPM and its capacity to provide a platform for women to participate more actively in political activities and grassroots mobilisation.
The entry of the forum, which was said to have approximately 4,000 members, further expands the network of groups affiliated with the movement and strengthens its women-focused mobilisation structure.
Fajimi Hails YPM Supporters
The Chairman of the YPM Board of Leaders, Chief Fajimi, also appreciated members and supporters of the movement for their contributions towards its growth and expansion.
Fajimi particularly commended the YPM Convener for the recently concluded solidarity trek organised by the movement’s students’ and youth forums.
He described the exercise as an unprecedented political mobilisation initiative in Ogun State, noting that it demonstrated the enthusiasm and commitment of young people and other supporters within the movement.
The latest developments have further positioned YPM as one of the political support structures seeking to consolidate its grassroots presence in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the inauguration of its students’ wing, the admission of a sizeable women’s forum and a claimed membership strength of 55,000 across the state, the movement is expected to intensify its ward-to-ward and institution-to-institution mobilisation in the months ahead.
Global Mirror News gathered that the YPM’s latest expansion comes at a time when political groups across Ogun State are increasingly strengthening their grassroots structures, with youth, women and first-time voters expected to play significant roles in shaping the political landscape ahead of 2027.
Oluseun JOSHUA,
State Media Director, Yayi Progressives Movement
