By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Traders and market leaders at Owode Onirin Spare Parts Market in Lagos have pledged to mobilise their members and donate thousands of souvenirs and campaign materials to support the governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 election.
The traders made the commitment during an Independence Day prayer organised by the Owode Old Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association at the Owode Onirin Central Mosque, Ikorodu Road, where they also declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and other APC candidates.
The prayer was held on Friday, 2 October, 2026 to seek divine guidance, peace and progress for Nigeria and its leaders, with prayers specifically offered for Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat. Hamzat has been adopted by the Lagos APC as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary General of Owode Onirin, Islaudin Abduwahab Baale, said the market community was determined to support Tinubu for a second term and Hamzat’s bid to succeed Sanwo-Olu.
Baale said the association had remained committed to the APC and would mobilise its members and their families to participate in the 2027 election.
He urged Nigerians to support Tinubu, saying, “He has been doing the work; let him complete the work.”
According to him, the association had also instructed its members to come out en masse with their families and vote for Tinubu, Hamzat and other APC candidates.
Baale said the market would further demonstrate its support for Hamzat by providing thousands of souvenirs and campaign materials for his campaign, adding that the items would be donated to the governorship candidate to support his campaign activities.
He, however, did not provide a verified figure for the number of registered or eligible voters expected to vote for the candidates.
Baale claimed that more than four million people were in the area and argued that the existing polling arrangements were inadequate. INEC states that only registered voters who present their valid Permanent Voter Cards and are successfully verified can vote at polling units.
Baale therefore appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to visit Owode Onirin and expand the polling facilities in the area.
He said the available polling units were too small to accommodate the population, calling for the extension of 14 polling units.
“We need extension of our 14 units,” he said, urging INEC to review the arrangement before the election.
Baale also highlighted what he described as the impact of the Lagos State Government on traders in the area, saying the benefits could not be easily quantified.
He cited the provision of streetlights and other facilities, including what he referred to as “PLC” stations, which he said had improved transportation and movement around the market.
According to him, the Owode Onirin market comprises about three units operating under one union and has grown into a major spare parts trading centre known beyond the immediate community.
He said the traders considered the infrastructure and other government interventions as reasons for their continued support of the administration.
Also speaking, Samuel Oluwole Garba, identified as an authority at the Owode Spare Parts Market Motor Park, said the large turnout at the prayer demonstrated the level of support for the movement backing Tinubu and Hamzat.
Garba said the participants had gathered to pray for good governance and continuity, adding that the traders would continue to support the APC candidates.
He argued that the turnout was evidence that the traders had benefited from government programmes.
“If there is no impact, you will not see anybody here,” Garba said, describing the benefits received by the traders as dividends of democracy.
He called for continued prayers and support for the government and the party ahead of the 2027 election.
Another market leader, Asamu Elolu, identified himself as one of the secretaries of the restaurant market in the area.
Chief Babatunde Cole, who also spoke at the event, said the market leadership was behind the APC structure in Lagos State.
Cole described the performance of the APC administration in Lagos, particularly in relation to traders at Owode Onirin, as a “pass mark”, while acknowledging that the government faced challenges.
He stressed that no government could be regarded as perfect but maintained that the direction of the administration was positive.
Cole also expressed optimism that Hamzat would improve on the existing programmes if elected governor.
“I am of the opinion that the new coming government headed by Obafemi Hamzat will perform better,” he said.
He added that traders’ expectations of the incoming administration were high, saying he believed its performance would improve conditions for both male and female traders in the market.
“We believe in his performance, and we believe he will perform better,” Cole said.
The market leader also referred to Hamzat’s background, saying the community remained optimistic about his leadership.
The traders’ declaration formed part of the activities at the Independence Day prayer, where they combined prayers for the country with calls for greater voter mobilisation, expanded polling facilities and support for the APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
