The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, has endorsed the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) sensitization campaign of the Oriire Youth Council (OYC), describing it as a critical step to strengthening the political influence of Oriire Local Government within Ogbomoso and Oyo State.
Receiving the OYC delegation at his Oja-Igbo palace in Ogbomoso on Wednesday, Oba Olaoye commended the youths for championing advocacy and development-focused initiatives. He emphasized the importance of voter turnout, noting that higher participation would increase Oriire’s bargaining power at both state and federal levels.
“I am delighted to see young people take up actionable initiatives for both short-term and long-term change. The PVC sensitization is critical, and if Oriire increases its voter turnout, the local government can gain more influence. Our goal is to double the electoral figures from Ogbomoso to compete with Ibadan, which currently contributes over 40% of Oyo State’s votes,” the monarch said.
The Soun, however, urged the OYC to bridge gaps among Oriire’s community leaders, stressing that synergy is vital for meaningful development.
“I am willing to include Oriire fully in my 25-year agenda, but your community leaders must be ready to work with me. Tell them we need cooperation, not division,” he charged.
Earlier, OYC’s National PRO, Ajadi Isaac, had thanked the monarch for presenting the challenges of all five Ogbomoso local governments, including Oriire, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his recent visit to the Presidential Villa. Another delegate, Ojo Oluwasegun Emmanuel, highlighted the alignment between the Soun’s 25-year development agenda and the Council’s #Vision2034, urging that Oriire be fully accommodated.
The OYC Chairman, Sarafadeen Owonikoko, assured the monarch of the youths’ readiness to support his vision.
“All we ask is for Oriire to be included in your plans, particularly as we have long suffered political and infrastructural marginalization,” he said.
The delegation to the Soun’s palace included Owonikoko, Aremu Gideon Oluwabusayo, Joshua Ojo Aderemi, Akorede Phebian Jacob, Ajadi Isaac Oluwasegun, Oluwafemi Adura Elizabeth, Akanji Folasade Oluwatobiloba, and Ojo Oluwasegun Emmanuel.
Earlier in the day, the OYC had visited the Onimoya of Moya, Oba Alabi Olayinka, who, along with other community leaders, praised the group’s consistency and credibility. The monarch encouraged them to intensify their PVC campaign across the 10 wards of Oriire.
Both traditional rulers pledged support for the upcoming second edition of the #OriireFirst Stakeholders’ Summit, with the OYC reaffirming its commitment to mobilizing grassroots participation and positioning Oriire as a rising voice within the Ogbomoso zone.
