As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship (EPLF) Southwest Fellows are taking the message of electoral integrity directly to the people, reminding market traders that their votes are too valuable to be exchanged for money, food, or gifts.
On Saturday, 24 October 2026, the EPLF Southwest Team held a market sensitisation campaign against vote buying at Bodija Market, Ibadan, under the theme “Your Vote, Your Voice.”
The engagement brought together fellows, volunteers, and market stakeholders to raise awareness about the dangers of vote buying and the importance of making independent, informed electoral choices.
A major highlight of the outreach was an impactful meeting with the Executive Committee of the Bodija Market Foodstuff Sellers Association. During the engagement, the executives demonstrated an understanding of the consequences of vote buying and pledged not to sell their votes, emphasising the importance of protecting their children’s future.
Following the meeting, fellows and volunteers moved around the market, distributing sensitisation flyers and displaying placards carrying messages against vote buying. Market women welcomed the initiative, engaged with the campaign team, and expressed their commitment to protecting their votes.
Participants and market stakeholders described the engagement as timely, particularly as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. The campaign reinforced an important message: the temporary benefits of selling a vote cannot outweigh the long-term consequences of poor leadership and governance.
The outreach was attended by EPLF Cohort President, Amb. Bala Musa; Southwest Fellows Olalekan Popoola, Opeyemi Awosusi, Moshood Abiola, Olaniyan Remilekun, Oluwatoyin Magbagbeola, Boluwatife Ajiboye, and Phillip Nwosu, alongside three other volunteers.
Beyond a one-day campaign, the initiative is a legacy project of the EPLF Fellows, undertaken as part of their fellowship activities to promote responsible citizenship, strengthen democratic participation, and encourage citizens to take ownership of Nigeria’s democratic future.
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As the 2027 elections draw closer, the message from Bodija Market remains clear: your vote is your power, your voice, and your opportunity to shape the future.
Don’t sell your future for a few naira. Your vote. Your choice. Your future.
