The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Hon. Bldr. Bashiru Agbeniga Olayinka, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, flagged off his campaign with a colourful mega rally that attracted supporters from across the 15 wards of the constituency.
The rally commenced at Omida Market, Abeokuta South, with a massive procession of supporters moving through major parts of the Ogun State capital.
The procession passed through Ibara Roundabout, Amolase, Isale-Igbein, Grammar School, Sapon and Ago-Oko before finally converging at Aka Palace, where it met with other NDC candidates and their supporters, including the party’s governorship and senatorial candidates.
Participants carried banners and placards bearing the names and images of NDC leaders and candidates, particularly Agbeniga, as they marched through the major roads of Abeokuta South.
Speaking with journalists during the rally, Agbeniga said his upbringing in Abeokuta had given him an understanding of the challenges confronting residents of the constituency, particularly young people.
He said, “I grew up in Abeokuta. I was born and brought up in Abeokuta. For you to fulfil most of your campaign promises, you must be somebody who is on ground, who knows what is happening to your people and who knows the problems of your people, especially the youth and our old ones in Abeokuta South Federal Constituency.”
On his plans for young graduates, Agbeniga said he would prioritise employment opportunities for first-class graduates, stressing that young people should not have to depend on political connections before accessing jobs.
According to him, “One of my campaign promises is that the majority of our youths who graduate with first-class degrees should be employed once it is confirmed that they finished with first class. I have seen situations where most of our first-class graduates ride motorcycles and Keke Napep because they cannot find employment.”
He added, “Abeokuta South is the premier local government and the heart of Ogun State, so we need to make sure the majority of our youths are employed.”
Agbeniga also expressed concern over youth unemployment and what he described as political dependence among young people, saying opportunities should be based on merit rather than connections.
He said, “If you walk within Abeokuta city, you will see that most of our young brothers have been turned into beggars by politicians. It is not that they don’t want to work, but there is no work for them to do. There is no way to employ them and there is no empowerment for them.”
The candidate also promised to establish empowerment programmes for graduates, artisans and other young people, stressing that empowerment should go beyond simply giving people cash.
He said, “Everything is not all about money. If you can gather them and train them on what they can use to feed their families, that is empowerment. Some of our brothers who learnt trades such as welding, electrical work and carpentry don’t see enough work to do because there is nobody to empower them.”
Agbeniga further said his legislative agenda would include policies aimed at opening up employment opportunities for qualified graduates.
He stated, “The work of legislators is to make laws. Anybody who graduates with a first-class degree should be employed. You don’t need to know somebody. Any student who graduates from Ogun State, especially Abeokuta South, should have access to employment opportunities.”
He added that a system based on merit would encourage students to work harder academically, while those who do not attend university should also receive support to develop vocational skills.
According to him, “Everything is not about going to school. At least, secondary school education is very important, but if somebody wants to focus on carpentry, for example, let him know the carpentry work very well and become skilled in it.”
Speaking on his presidential preference, Agbeniga expressed support for the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying, “My presidential candidate is Peter Obi. I don’t need to tell you much about him because you all know his antecedents. He is the man who can upgrade Nigeria, liberate the poor masses and address the insecurity and unemployment we are facing.”
He also called on residents of Ogun State to support the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Bolanle Odusina.
He said, “She is a doctor who practised in the United States of America and Canada. She is capable and has the ability to do it. She is ready to upgrade Ogun State and take us to a better height. I will implore all the people of Ogun State to support and vote for our governorship candidate, Dr. Bolaji Marie Odusina.”
Also speaking, the Director-General of Agbeniga’s Campaign Organisation, Surveyor Hon. Oluwaseyi Oyebolu, said his support for the candidate was based on their relationship spanning more than two decades.
Oyebolu said, “I believe in Hon. Bashiru because I have been a close ally of his for over 20 years. When you have worked with someone for over 20 years, it is enough for you to know whether that person is pretending or not.”
He identified infrastructure, roads, healthcare and water supply among the major challenges confronting Abeokuta South Constituency.
According to him, “Abeokuta is a premier local government which needs adequate infrastructure and support. Up till today, so many challenges are facing Abeokuta South Constituency, including bad roads, inadequate primary healthcare centres and the lack of a proper water system.”
Oyebolu also advocated the development of central water systems to serve communities, rather than residents relying individually on boreholes.
He said, “We need to build modern boreholes. Almost every house is now building its own borehole, which is not quite reasonable because it could become a future disaster. But if you have a central borehole system that can serve several communities, it will be very good.”
On the party and the candidate’s youth-focused campaign, Oyebolu said, “NDC has come to stay. It is a party that brings liberation and encourages the youth. If you look at other parties, it is very difficult for a youth to thrive, but NDC has given the youth a platform to fly.”
He therefore urged residents of the constituency to support Agbeniga, saying, “I am calling on all Abeokuta people, particularly the people of Abeokuta South Constituency, to support Hon. Bashiru Agbeniga. I am very sure that when he is elected, by the special grace of God, he will not disappoint us.”
A supporter of the candidate, Taiwo Temitope Onifade, also expressed his support for Agbeniga, citing his age and what he described as his capacity to represent young people.
Onifade said, “Hon. Bashiru Agbeniga has my support because he is a youth, and I know he has the capability and capacity to understand the exact things we need in this country. We believe he will be a good representative of the youths.”
She further appealed to undecided voters to consider Agbeniga’s candidacy.
He said, “To everyone who has not yet decided who to vote for, I would urge you, please, for the benefit of our future not just because of today, but because of tomorrow that nobody knows about let us support Hon. Bldr. Bashiru Adeniyi Agbeniga.”
The rally ended with supporters marching through parts of Abeokuta and reaffirming their support for the NDC candidate as the party continues its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.
