By Esther Onyegbula

Mrs. Folashade Ajose, wife of the Chairman of Olorunda Local Council Development Area, on Tuesday defied a heavy downpour to lead hundreds of women on a mass Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, sensitisation campaign across major markets in the council, urging residents to register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The campaign, which formed part of the ongoing Badagry Division-wide PVC awareness initiative, took the women to Morogbo Market, Agbokejoye Market in Oko-Afo and Ajagamibo Market in Aradagun, where they moved from shop to shop educating traders, artisans and shoppers on the importance of obtaining their PVCs before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, closes the current voter registration window next week.

Despite the persistent rainfall, the campaign continued uninterrupted as the women mobilised residents, describing the PVC as the only means of participating in the 2027 elections.
The exercise later culminated in a voter education programme at Mosafejo Town Hall, where hundreds of women gathered to receive further enlightenment on voter registration and civic participation.

Among dignitaries present were the wife of the Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunpe; the wife of the Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, Mrs. Mariam Ibrahim; Mrs. Arinola Ajose; Mrs. Ramota Onilude, wife of the APC House of Representatives candidate for Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon. Olusegun Onilude; Mrs. Bukola Bamgbose; Alhaja Kikelomo Ladipo; Alhaja M. I. Adeshina; Hon. Itunuoluwa Ambe Alice, Deputy Leader of the Olorunda LCDA Legislative House; the Treasurer of Olorunda LCDA, Mrs. Awusinu; and the Council Manager, Alhaji Moruf Adesanya.

Addressing participants, Mrs. Folashade Ajose described voting as both a constitutional and civic responsibility, stressing that only eligible Nigerians with valid Permanent Voter’s Cards would be able to participate in the 2027 general elections.
She called on women, residents and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to intensify mobilisation for the ongoing voter registration exercise.

According to her, “Voting is our constitutional and civic responsibility. Every eligible voter must ensure they obtain a Permanent Voter’s Card because only registered voters with valid PVCs will be eligible to participate in the 2027 general elections.
“We must continue to mobilise our people because the 2027 elections will be very crucial for the future of Badagry and Nigeria.

She urged residents of Badagry Division to reciprocate what she described as President Bola Tinubu’s support for the area by delivering overwhelming support for him, the APC and all the party’s candidates during the next general elections.
Mrs. Ajose also said the emergence of a daughter of Badagry as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate should further encourage residents to unite and ensure massive voter turnout.

She maintained that obtaining a PVC remained the first step towards active participation in the democratic process and urged party faithful and community stakeholders not to relent until every eligible voter had registered.

Her appeal was echoed by Mrs. Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Hunpe, Mrs. Mariam Ibrahim, Mrs. Bukola Bamgbose, Mrs. Arinola Ajose and other speakers, who encouraged residents to secure their PVCs and remain committed to grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also speaking, the Council Manager, Alhaji Moruf Adesanya, and the council treasurer, Mrs. Awusinu, underscored the importance of voter registration, urging residents to obtain their PVCs and actively participate in the electoral process.

The programme was coordinated by the Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman of Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Hon. Cornelius Akinyele, on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Ajose Peter Kumayon.

Speaking after the event, Hon. Cornelius Akinyele commended Mrs. Folashade Ajose and her counterparts from Badagry Local Government and Badagry West LCDA for ensuring the success of the exercise despite the heavy rainfall.
He also appreciated the Executive Chairman, Hon. Ajose Peter Kumayon, for his support, saying it contributed significantly to the successful execution of the campaign.

Tuesday’s exercise marked the third phase of the women-led PVC sensitisation campaign across Badagry Division.

The initiative began in Badagry Local Government under the leadership of Mrs. Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Hunpe before moving to Badagry West LCDA, hosted by Mrs. Mariam Ibrahim.

Organisers expressed confidence that the grassroots mobilisation would significantly boost voter registration across the division ahead of the 2027 general elections.