As political consultations gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi (JDS), the Okanlomo of Oodua and Gbonka of Olubadan, has strengthened engagements with prominent Islamic leaders in Oyo State.
Sanusi paid a courtesy visit to the Aare of Ibadanland and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, His Eminence, Sheikh Dahood Makanjuola Akinropo D’damak.
The visit focused on building synergy on political mobilisation, including support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli as preferred candidate for the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Speaking during the engagement, Sanusi called for stronger collaboration between political and religious leaders, stressing the need to bring influential stakeholders together ahead of the elections.
He urged Sheikh D’damak to provide leadership in coordinating religious, political and grassroots stakeholders towards achieving the objectives.
“The 2027 elections require meaningful collaboration, strategic engagement and the involvement of respected leaders across our communities. We believe that the experience and influence of His Eminence will be valuable in building the understanding and grassroots support needed for our preferred candidates,” Sanusi said.
He added that the engagement was part of efforts by the JDS Movement to build a broad-based alliance capable of mobilising support for President Tinubu, Senator Alli and other APC candidates, stressing the need for sustained consultations.
Responding, D’damak appreciated Sanusi for the visit and commended the mobilisation efforts of the JDS Movement, as well as Sanusi’s philanthropic interventions at the grassroots.
The Aare Musulumi reiterated his position in support of a Muslim governorship candidate in Oyo State, arguing that fairness and reciprocity should guide the state’s political arrangement.
He noted that the Muslim community had supported a Christian governor for eight years, and it was only fair for the Christian community to reciprocate by supporting a Muslim candidate.
He maintained that his position was rooted in fairness, mutual respect and religious balance, rather than division.
The delegation accompanying Sanusi included Hon. Gbadamosi Kazeem Adeyemi, Magaji Abbas Oloko, Magaji Nurudeen Akinade, Asiwaju Mutiulah Onimalu and Magaji Alawode.
In a related development, Sanusi also held an interaction with members of the Coalition of Islamic Political Front, further expanding consultations with Islamic political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.
