...movement receives ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum, says membership has risen to 55,000 across the state

The Yayi Progressives Movement (YPM), a leading political support group in Ogun State, has intensified its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections with the inauguration of its students’ wing and the admission of the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum into the movement.

The development was announced during a joint gathering of the groups held in Abeokuta on Saturday, where the Convener of the YPM, Armstrong ‘Tope Akintunde, said the movement was committed to engaging young people, particularly students who are eligible to vote, as part of its mobilisation strategy.

Akintunde stressed the importance of bringing students into the political process, describing them as an important component of the society and the future of the country.

He said the movement would continue to provide space for students to participate actively in its activities, adding that their involvement was critical to its grassroots mobilisation efforts.

The convener also welcomed the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum into the YPM, describing its reported membership of about 4,000 women as another indication of the movement’s growing grassroots strength.

“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.” 

Akintunde charged the newly admitted groups, particularly the students and members of the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum, to intensify their grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the objective was to secure broad support for the movement’s principal, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as well as other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the presidential level to the state House of Assembly.

Speaking on behalf of the apex body of the movement, the Co-Convener and an apex member, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye, commended the students and members of the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum for choosing to join the YPM.

Odeneye said the development demonstrated the impact of the movement’s grassroots engagement across the state. 

“This is what we stand for in the Yayi Progressives Movement. Our grassroots mobilisation and engagement are yielding results and improving daily.

“I commend our ever-relenting Convener for his steadfastness and commitment to moving the movement forward alongside other leaders in the group".

The newly inaugurated students’ wing was led by Comrade Dotun Opaleye, who commended the leadership of the YPM for creating room for students to participate in the movement.

He said the students’ wing was mobilising young people across tertiary institutions in Ogun State and had set a target of enrolling 5,000 students into the movement.

“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.

He explained that the students’ mobilisation cut across various institutions in the state, adding that the group was particularly targeting students interested in the activities of the APC.

According to him, the students’ wing had already recorded significant progress towards its 5,000-member target.

Opaleye also commended the YPM leadership for supporting the recently concluded voter registration exercise on campuses, saying the initiative demonstrated the movement’s commitment to engaging students.

“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.”

Also speaking during the event, Mrs. Ogunsanya Olusola, a leader of the ‘No Women, No Nation’ forum, commended Akintunde for his commitment to the growth of the APC in Ogun State. 

Olusola spoke during the appreciation and decoration of the YPM Convener as their new patron, expressing confidence in the leadership of the movement.

The Chairman of the YPM board of leaders, Chief Fajimi, also appreciated members and supporters of the movement for their contributions.

He particularly commended the Convener for the recently concluded solidarity trek organised by the YPM students’ and youth forums, describing the exercise as unprecedented in the political history of Ogun State.

- Oluseun JOSHUA, 

State Media Director, Yayi Progressives Movement