The political structure of the Okanlomo Oodua and Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, has received another major grassroots boost following the convergence of more than 20,000 market traders from across Oyo State at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
The gathering also witnessed the formal induction of the Ibagbeola Political Movement into the growing Jubril Dotun Sanusi (JDS) Support Group structure, in what political observers described as another significant development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest expansion followed what sources described as growing interest from grassroots political organisations after the massive turnout witnessed at the recently concluded inauguration of the Tinubu Torch Bearers (TTB) in Oyo State at Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, on Monday, August 31, 2026.
According to the organisers, more than 27 independent political and grassroots groups, each reportedly having over 1,000 members, have expressed interest in collapsing their structures into the JDS Support Group movement after witnessing the size and organisational strength displayed at the Tinubu Torch Bearers inauguration.
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The groups, according to the organisers, include the Ibagbeola Political Movement, among others, with their decision attributed to the growing visibility, grassroots network and political mobilisation capacity of the JDS structure.
The development is being viewed by supporters as a significant expansion of the JDS political family as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi urged members of the various JDS-affiliated groups to move beyond conventional political gatherings and take their mobilisation directly to communities.
He charged the groups to intensify house-to-house mobilisation, community engagement and grassroots sensitisation in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and the aspiration of Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli to become Governor of Oyo State.
Sanusi emphasised that a successful grassroots political movement must maintain direct contact with the people, understand their concerns and communicate its political agenda at the family and community levels.
He urged members to remain united, disciplined and committed to peaceful political engagement while building a formidable grassroots structure across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State.
The Okanlomo Oodua also announced October 17, 2026, as JDS Tinubu Day, with the programme scheduled to hold at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan.
According to Sanusi, the event will provide another platform for members of the JDS political family, supporters of President Tinubu and other stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to the President’s re-election agenda.
The announcement was greeted with excitement by the large gathering of market traders, political groups and grassroots stakeholders.
The Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje, who led the delegation of market traders, declared the continued support of the traders for President Tinubu’s re-election and the aspiration of Senator Sharafadeen Alli ahead of the 2027 elections.
Konibaje stressed the importance of market traders as critical stakeholders in the political and economic development of Oyo State, noting that traders would continue to participate actively in engagements that affect their businesses, livelihoods and the future of the state.
The gathering attracted market leaders and representatives from the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, further demonstrating the broad reach of the mobilisation.
Among the dignitaries and stakeholders at the event were the Iyaloja of Oyo, representatives of various market associations, political leaders, grassroots mobilisation coordinators and members of the JDS Support Group.
Also present was the President of the Yoruba Youth Council, Mogaji Alawode Rahmon, alongside youth leaders and other community stakeholders.
The induction of the Ibagbeola Political Movement is expected to further strengthen the JDS Support Group as additional grassroots organisations signal their readiness to join the movement.
With over 27 groups reportedly expressing interest in collapsing their structures into the JDS Support Group, each bringing a membership base of more than 1,000 people, the movement is positioning itself as a broad coalition of grassroots political organisations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest development, coming shortly after the massive turnout at the Tinubu Torch Bearers inauguration at Liberty Stadium, has further energised supporters of the JDS movement.
The organisers said the focus would now be on translating the growing coalition into sustained grassroots engagement, voter education, community mobilisation and peaceful political participation across Oyo State.
