IBADAN, OYO STATE — Hammed Ademola Babalola, popularly known as Itesiwaju Ido, has emerged as the youngest campaign coordinator following the inauguration of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Governorship and Presidential Campaign Councils across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Babalola was appointed Director-General of the Ido Local Government Campaign Council, a position that places him at the centre of the party’s campaign coordination and grassroots mobilisation efforts within the local government.
His appointment marks another milestone in his political journey, building on his previous service as Member Representing Ido in the Second Assembly of the Oyo State Youth Parliament and his subsequent aspiration to lead Ido Local Government as chairman.
The inauguration ceremony was held on Monday, 5 October 2026, at the Local Government Service Commission Staff Training School, Oyo State Government Secretariat, Ibadan. The event brought together party leaders, campaign officials and other stakeholders to establish campaign coordination structures across the state.
APM STRENGTHENS CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE ACROSS OYO STATE
The inauguration represents a significant organisational step in the APM’s preparations for the 2027 governorship and presidential elections, with campaign officials assigned responsibilities across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas.
The Oyo State Governorship and Presidential Campaign Apex Council is led by Dr. Nureini Aderemi Adediran, who serves as Presidential Campaign Coordinator and Director-General of the Governorship Campaign Council.
Other officials within the statewide campaign leadership include Hon. Saheed Arowosaye, Hon. Ademola Ojo, Hon. Femi Ojo, Hon. Sule Lawal and Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa, Director of Youth Mobilisation.
Within this framework, Babalola will oversee campaign coordination in Ido Local Government, working alongside the deputy coordinator, women coordinator, youth coordinator, secretary and other members of the local government campaign team.
His responsibility will include facilitating communication, strengthening grassroots engagement and coordinating activities across the local government’s ten wards.
FROM YOUTH PARLIAMENTARIAN TO CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR-GENERAL
Babalola’s emergence reflects a progression through different stages of political participation, youth representation and local government engagement.
His tenure as Member Representing Ido in the Second Assembly of the Oyo State Youth Parliament provided an avenue for youth representation and participation in public affairs. His subsequent aspiration for the chairmanship of Ido Local Government further demonstrated his interest in community leadership and grassroots development.
With his latest appointment as Director-General of the Ido Local Government Campaign Council, Babalola assumes a broader organisational responsibility within the APM’s political structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
His emergence also brings attention to the growing participation of young people in political organisation and the opportunities available for them to contribute to leadership, mobilisation and public engagement.
TECHNOLOGY AND YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL ORGANISATION
Beyond his political activities, Babalola is a technology entrepreneur with an academic background in software engineering.
His professional background offers opportunities to explore the use of digital communication, information management and organised operational systems in strengthening campaign coordination and stakeholder engagement.
As he takes on his new assignment, attention will be directed towards building effective communication channels among campaign officials, facilitating engagement across the ten wards of Ido Local Government and encouraging the participation of young people and other community stakeholders.
The effectiveness of these efforts will depend on collaboration, organisational discipline and the ability of the campaign team to maintain meaningful engagement at the grassroots.
“THIS APPOINTMENT IS A RESPONSIBILITY” — BABALOLA
Reacting to his appointment, Babalola expressed appreciation to the party’s leadership for the confidence reposed in him, describing the position as a responsibility rather than merely a title.
He said:
“I am deeply honoured by the confidence reposed in me by the leaders and executive arm of our great party. This appointment is not just a title; it is a responsibility and a reflection of the direction we are moving towards in Ido Local Government.
“For me, leadership is about responsibility, service and the ability to bring people together around a common purpose. I recognise the importance of this assignment and remain committed to working with our leaders, stakeholders and team members to build a well-coordinated campaign structure across Ido Local Government.
“I believe this is an opportunity to demonstrate the capacity of young people to contribute meaningfully to leadership, organisation and the advancement of our local government. I do not take this trust for granted, and I am determined to justify the confidence reposed in me.”
His remarks underscore the importance of teamwork, accountability and purposeful organisation in carrying out the responsibilities associated with the appointment.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
With campaign councils inaugurated across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas, the next phase will focus on coordinating campaign activities, strengthening communication and engaging stakeholders across the respective local government areas.
In Ido, Babalola is expected to work with the local government campaign team to establish a coordinated operational structure across the ten wards and maintain communication with the wider state campaign council.
For the young politician, popularly known as Itesiwaju Ido, the appointment represents a new chapter in his political journey and an opportunity to demonstrate his organisational capacity, commitment to teamwork and readiness to shoulder greater responsibilities.
As political activities gradually build towards the 2027 general elections, his performance in the role will be an important part of his continuing journey in youth participation and grassroots politics.
Courtesy: Directorate of Campaign, Ido Local Government.
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