As political consultations gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi (JDS), Okanlomo Oodua and Gbonka Olubadan, has strengthened engagements with prominent Islamic leaders and political stakeholders in Oyo State following a courtesy visit to the Aare of Ibadanland and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, His Eminence, Sheikh Dahood Makanjuola D’damak.
The visit focused on building synergy between Sanusi and the revered Islamic leader, particularly on political mobilisation and the adoption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, as well as Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli as the preferred candidate for the Oyo State governorship election in 2027.
Discussions also centred on securing support for all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.
Speaking during the engagement, Sanusi called for stronger collaboration between political and religious leaders, stressing the importance of bringing 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 discussed.
Sanusi said, “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.”
He added that the engagement was part of efforts by the JDS Movement to build a broad-based political alliance capable of mobilising support for President Tinubu, Senator Alli and other APC candidates in Oyo State. He stressed the need for sustained consultations and cooperation among stakeholders.
Responding, D’damak appreciated Sanusi for the visit and commended the mobilisation efforts of the JDS Movement.
He also commended Sanusi’s philanthropic contributions and sustained interventions in support of the masses, particularly 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 maintained that it was only fair for the Christian community to reciprocate the gesture by supporting a Muslim candidate.
His Eminence maintained that his position is rooted in the principle of fairness, mutual respect and religious balance, rather than religious division.
The delegation accompanying Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi Sanusi included Hon. Gbadamosi Kazeem Adeyemi, Magaji Abbas Oloko, Magaji Nurudeen Akinade, Asiwaju Mutiulah Onimaluu and Magaji Alawode.
In a related development, Sanusi also held a brief but significant interaction with members of the Coalition of Islamic Political Front, further expanding consultations with Islamic political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.
The engagements form part of the JDS Movement’s ongoing efforts to build strategic alliances, strengthen grassroots mobilisation and bring together influential political and religious stakeholders in support of its preferred candidates for the forthcoming elections.
