By Bisola Adetilewa
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has set a target of one million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election as the Project 774 Explode Initiative was launched in the state to promote women's empowerment, gender equality and grassroots political participation.
The governor made the declaration at the sensitisation and empowerment programme on gender equality and adequate representation in governance held at the International Event Centre, The Dome, Akure. He was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration remained committed to inclusive governance and the empowerment of women, noting that women had already been appointed to key positions across the state, including commissioner, vice-chancellor and local government chairmanship positions.
He described women as indispensable partners in governance and sustainable development, saying gender equality was not a favour but a moral obligation, democratic necessity and economic imperative.
According to him, women play critical roles in nurturing families, sustaining local economies, preserving values, resolving conflicts and providing leadership across sectors including governance, business, education, agriculture and technology.
The governor commended the APC National Women Leader, Dr Mary Idele, for bringing Project 774 Explode to Ondo State, describing it as an initiative capable of building confidence among women, increasing political participation and preparing grassroots women for leadership.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration would continue implementing policies under its EASE Development Agenda aimed at improving education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, employment and social protection, with women remaining central to those interventions.
He, however, acknowledged that significant gaps remained in women's representation in elective and leadership positions, urging stakeholders to support programmes that would create more opportunities for women to participate actively in governance.
The governor expressed confidence that the mobilisation of women and other APC members across the state's 18 local government areas would enable Ondo to deliver no fewer than one million votes for President Tinubu in 2027.
Also speaking, APC National Women Leader, Dr Mary Idele, urged women across the country to sustain their support for President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda ahead of the 2027 general election.
Idele described Project 774 Explode as part of the APC's grassroots mobilisation and women empowerment efforts across the country's 774 local government areas. She commended APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, for his leadership and efforts to strengthen grassroots participation within the party.
She also praised First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative, particularly its interventions targeting women, youths, farmers, students and vulnerable Nigerians.
The APC women leader highlighted several reforms of the Tinubu administration in areas including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, security, student loans, local government autonomy and investment, acknowledging the difficulties associated with some reforms while arguing that they were aimed at laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.
On Ondo State, Idele commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for supporting Project 774 and promoting grassroots development, inclusive governance and women's empowerment.
She urged political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to provide mentorship and opportunities for women to become councillors, local government chairpersons, legislators, commissioners and future governors.
Idele said women should move beyond merely participating as voters and take up leadership positions within the political system. She also pledged the continued mobilisation of APC women across polling units, local government areas and states ahead of the 2027 election.
Earlier, the wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, called for greater gender equality and increased representation of women in governance.
Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Abosede Adebukola Adelami, she said inclusive leadership was essential to sustainable development, noting that communities benefit when women are given opportunities to contribute to public decision-making.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa said the programme was designed to increase awareness of gender equality while equipping women with leadership, advocacy, public speaking and campaign-planning skills needed to pursue elective positions and other leadership opportunities.
She encouraged women to recognise the value of their ideas and experiences and participate actively in public service, community leadership, advocacy and mentorship. She also urged men to support gender equality by challenging harmful stereotypes and creating opportunities for women.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, also encouraged women to pursue education, acquire relevant skills, build professional networks and maintain integrity in their quest for leadership.
She urged beneficiaries of the empowerment initiative to make productive use of the items and opportunities provided, stressing that they should serve as tools for improving livelihoods and strengthening the well-being of women across Ondo State.