As Okanlomo Oodua turns 58th birthday into major APC mobilisation rally, predicts over 80 per cent votes for Tinubu in Oyo
The 58th birthday celebration of Chief (Engr.) Jubril Dotun Sanusi, the Okanlomo Oodua, assumed a significant political dimension as thousands of supporters converged on Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts for a gathering that evolved into a major show of solidarity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
Christened Tinubu Day, the event brought together an extensive coalition of political stakeholders, traditional rulers, traders, artisans, religious organisations, labour unions, community leaders and grassroots supporters, turning what was initially a birthday celebration into a platform for political engagement, mobilisation and the articulation of the APC’s ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the centre of the gathering was Sanusi’s call for a change in the state’s political direction, with the celebrant urging residents to support candidates he believes possess the experience, credibility and commitment required to meet the expectations of the electorate.
Addressing the crowd, Sanusi revisited the 2023 governorship election and accused the governor he supported during the contest of betraying the trust placed in him. He argued that the state’s political experience should serve as a lesson to voters as they prepare to make decisions about the country’s future leadership.
“Someone who failed in Oyo State now wants to reset Nigeria. We have seen what happened here, and we do not want a repeat of that experience at the national level,” he said.
The statement formed part of his broader argument that political leadership must be assessed through performance, accountability and fidelity to campaign promises rather than rhetoric. Sanusi insisted that the electorate should resist what he described as political betrayal and embrace candidates capable of demonstrating genuine commitment to public welfare.
“Today, we want people who will not betray the people of Oyo State. I assure you that all the APC candidates will not betray us,” he added.
Sanusi described the gathering as a clear demonstration of political consciousness and grassroots participation, maintaining that the attendance of people from different social, economic and professional backgrounds reflected the growing importance of collective engagement in determining the state’s political future.
He also highlighted the scale of the turnout at Ilaji, contrasting it with what he described as the mere assembly of people at a tennis court. For him, the gathering was evidence of a broader mobilisation effort that extended beyond the celebration of his personal milestone.
A defining moment of the event came when Sanusi projected a stronger performance for Tinubu in Oyo State in the next presidential election, declaring that the President’s share of the state’s votes could rise from the approximately 60 per cent he attributed to the 2023 election to more than 80 per cent in the next contest.
“In the last election, President Tinubu got 60 per cent of the votes in Oyo State. This time, we are going to give him over 80 per cent,” he declared.
Sanusi’s projection signalled his determination to mobilise support for the President’s re-election bid, arguing that Tinubu should be allowed to complete the programmes and reforms initiated during his first term.
“He has done well in his first term and deserves to finish the good works he has started in Nigeria,” he said, urging supporters to remain steadfast in their commitment to the President.
The celebrant also threw his weight behind Senator Sharafadeen Alli, identifying the lawmaker as a political figure whose experience and established record made him deserving of continued public confidence.
Sanusi described Alli as a tested politician with a reputation for integrity, expressing confidence that the senator would remain responsive to the expectations of the people. His endorsement placed Alli among the principal beneficiaries of the political solidarity expressed at the birthday gathering.
“Senator Sharafadeen Alli is someone whose antecedents we know. He is experienced, tested and has proven himself to be a man of integrity. We know the kind of person he is, and we believe he will not betray the confidence of the people,” he stated.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Sanusi urged voters to recognise the power of their ballots and use them to determine the political future of Oyo State. He maintained that elections offered the electorate an opportunity to reward leaders whose performances met public expectations and reject those they considered to have failed.
“Let us sweep away betrayers and failures from Oyo State with our votes. The power belongs to the people, and they must use it wisely,” he declared.
The size of the crowd attracted particular attention amid reports that commercial drivers had been directed not to transport attendees to the venue. Participants reportedly resorted to hiring vehicles and arranging alternative means of transportation to attend, although the circumstances surrounding the reported directive were not independently established in the information provided.
The gathering attracted several prominent political figures and community stakeholders, including Senator Sharafadeen Alli; Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Ogunesan; Hon. Akin Alabi; Chief Mutalubi Ojo; Mogaji Abass Oloko; Hon. Bosun Oladele; Asiwaju Mutiu Oladejo; Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe; Hon. Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye; Chief Shina Alabi; and Tunji Olanipekun.
Their presence, alongside traditional rulers, religious groups, traders, artisans, labour representatives and political associations, gave the celebration a broad-based character and reinforced its importance as a gathering of APC supporters and other political stakeholders.
Ultimately, Sanusi’s 58th birthday became more than a ceremonial occasion. Through his appeal for Tinubu’s re-election, his endorsement of Alli and his call for support for other APC candidates, the Okanlomo Oodua used the gathering to project a clear political message: that the coming electoral contests would be an opportunity for voters to determine the direction of governance in Oyo State and Nigeria.
Whether the gathering’s reported turnout will translate into the electoral figures Sanusi predicted remains to be seen. However, the event demonstrated his intention to use his community influence and political network to mobilise support for the APC as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
