The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) has gathered in Lagos for a strategy seminar designed to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and voter engagement ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The seminar, themed “Training the Trainers,” brought together at the weekend over 150 GMT directors drawn from Delta, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Adamawa and Kogi States, who were tasked with returning to their communities to replicate the training and deepen grassroots sensitisation.
Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, who delivered the keynote address, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) must learn from the shortcomings of 2023.
According to him, complacency and poor grassroots connection almost cost Tinubu victory even in Lagos, considered the party’s political stronghold.
“The 2023 election taught us that sentiment alone cannot win elections. Organisation, grassroots connection, youth engagement, sharper messaging, and party unity are key to securing victory in 2027,” Ayinde said.
He listed voter apathy, misinformation, internal divisions, and youth discontent as the major pitfalls that weakened the APC in 2023, insisting that such errors must not be repeated.
“We cannot take any vote for granted, not even in our backyard,” he warned.
“In 2027, we must be more organised, more connected, more persuasive, and friendlier to voters. Every challenge is also an opportunity. We must reconnect with the grassroots, especially the youths, artisans, students and the digital community.”
Ayinde charged GMT directors to serve as “storytellers” of Tinubu’s achievements, urging them to spread the message of renewed hope across markets, churches, mosques, campuses, communities and workplaces.
“Victory is calling us once again. In 2023 we made history, in 2027 we must consolidate and expand that victory. Let us pick one message: Tinubu has done it before, he is doing it again, and with your support, he will complete the job,” Ayinde added.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who was represented by Mr. Bode Obanla, pledged his support for GMT, describing the organisation as one of the most disciplined grassroots structures working for Tinubu’s second term.
“I’m committed to ensuring that President Tinubu secures more than 80 percent of votes in Ondo State. Partisans cannot be left idle. They must be constructively engaged or they will drift to other parties. GMT has earned my trust because of how organised you are,” Tunji-Ojo said.
In his welcome address, GMT Director-General, Hon. Adebisi Yusuf, said the movement was not just another political group but the “engine room of mobilisation” for Tinubu’s presidency.
“GMT is the link between leadership and the people, and the vanguard of renewed hope at the grassroots,” Yusuf declared.
On the sidelines, he explained that GMT was designed to avoid the pitfalls of 2023 by building structures that target real voters at ward and local government levels.
“What happened in 2023 taught us a lesson. That is why we went back to the drawing board. GMT is different from political jamborees. We go house-to-house, to the real voters, encouraging even those without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to register,” Yusuf said.
He stressed that the real heartbeat of democracy is in the grassroots, adding, “The real voters are the common people, and their votes count. Our duty is to explain Tinubu’s achievements in language they understand and to show them why short-term sacrifice will lead to long-term gains. The heartbeat of democracy lies in the grassroots. With organised action and collective commitment, no goal is beyond our reach. Together, we will transform ideas into action and action into victory,” he concluded.
Deputy Chairman of GMT, Dr. Kolawole Peregrine, outlined the organisation’s diverse departments, which include female lawyers, artisans, voters’ education, digital engagement, women affairs, foreign affairs, welfare, finance and budget, and education.
“These specialised groups are set up to ensure that every critical constituency is reached ahead of 2027,” Peregrine explained.
Director of Women Affairs of GMT and immediate past Executive Chairman of Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Princess Rasheedat Abiodun, said mobilisation efforts had already begun, with voter registration and women’s participation as priorities.
“We have started already, and election begins with voter registration which is ongoing. We are engaging and educating women on why they must participate in voting — and voting for the right man, Tinubu, who we are sure will do the job. As women, we must push ourselves and make our mark in political decision-making,” she said.
Ogun State GMT leader, Mr. Tola Banjo, said the seminar broadened participants’ understanding of Tinubu’s legacy and policies.
“My take-home from this seminar is that we have been equipped with more knowledge about how to sell Mr. President. We knew some of what he has done, but the keynote address reminded us of his foundation work in Lagos, including the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Those structures are still paying off today — for example, the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA just built the biggest Primary Healthcare Centre in Nigeria, but the foundation was laid by Tinubu,” Banjo said.
He added that in Ogun State, GMT would combine voter awareness creation with feedback collection.
“We want people to know what they stand to benefit, to hear from them what we are doing right and what more they want. This movement is about creating awareness and letting people know how they can key in,” he explained.
At the close of the seminar, GMT leaders resolved to replicate the training in their various states, local governments, and wards, with a focus on direct engagement, voter education, and countering misinformation.
