Bimbo Adekanmbi, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, has called on members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) to safeguard their electoral rights and resist political manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interactive session with the union’s leadership and members on Monday, the APM candidate emphasised the importance of ensuring that every vote cast by the elderly demographic counts towards the final results.
The engagement comes as political actors in Oyo State begin early preparations for the next election cycle, targeting various interest groups to build grassroots support and consolidate their political positions.
The meeting, held at a venue for pensioners, allowed Adekanmbi to address the specific concerns of retired civil servants and workers regarding their welfare and political agency. He urged the union to maintain a unified front and to be wary of promises made by political entities that may not withstand the scrutiny of the actual electoral process.
Voter vigilance and political engagement
Adekanmbi’s outreach to the NUP is part of a broader strategy by the Allied Peoples Movement to build support among organised labour and retired professionals in the state. Pensioners represent a significant and often influential voting bloc in Oyo State, given their numbers and their direct stake in government policy and social welfare programmes.
The candidate’s warning against manipulation suggests a concern over the potential for vote-buying or the use of coercive tactics during the 2027 polls. By addressing the pensioners directly, the APM is attempting to position itself as a defender of the rights of the elderly, a group that frequently faces economic hardships due to inflation and the rising cost of living.
While the specific details of policy proposals discussed during the parley were not fully disclosed, the session highlighted the growing trend of early political mobilisation in the state. Political analysts suggest that parties are increasingly focusing on social groups that have historically felt marginalised by the current political administration.
The NUP leadership has not yet issued a formal response to the candidate’s remarks, though the union has historically advocated for improved pension administration and the timely payment of benefits across the state. As the 2027 election cycle approaches, the interaction between political candidates and organised interest groups like the NUP is expected to shape the campaign landscape in Oyo State.
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