A grassroots political organisation campaigning for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s anticipated second term has vowed to intensify its mobilisation activities despite an attack on its secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Kehinde Olaosebikan Grassroots Movement (PBAT-KO Movement) made its position known following the reported destruction of campaign materials at its office in Oluyole Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Monday at the CICU Building along Olomi-Olojuoro Road, where the organisation operates its secretariat.
The facility was reportedly vandalised, with campaign banners, display boards and other materials damaged, while some of the building’s windows were shattered.
Members of the movement discovered the destruction when they arrived at the premises after the incident. An inspection of the facility revealed damage to property used for the group’s political activities.
The organisation alleged that the perpetrators were hoodlums suspected to be associated with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). However, the alleged connection between the attackers and the political party has not been independently established.
The development has raised concerns within the group about the safety of its campaign infrastructure as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PBAT-KO Movement described the secretariat as the only visible office dedicated to promoting Tinubu’s re-election ambition in Oluyole Local Government Area.
It said the facility serves as a focal point for coordinating its grassroots engagement and political mobilisation efforts.
Movement insists attack will not affect campaign
Despite the damage to its property, the organisation has maintained that the incident will not weaken its resolve to campaign for the President.
Its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Femi Omolola, gave the assurance while addressing journalists who gathered around the building after the reported attack.
Omolola said the group remained committed to its political mission and would not allow the incident to disrupt its activities or discourage its supporters.
He emphasised that the movement’s leadership and members were determined to work towards increasing the votes Tinubu received in the previous presidential election.
“We are undaunted. We are totally committed. Nothing can stop us from giving our very best in support of the President,” he said.
The publicity secretary specifically identified the movement’s convener, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, as one of the leaders determined to strengthen the President’s support base ahead of the next election.
According to Omolola, the organisation intends to significantly improve on Tinubu’s 2023 electoral performance, setting a target of tripling the number of votes secured by the President.
He maintained that the destruction of campaign materials would not prevent the group from pursuing its objective across Oluyole and neighbouring communities.
“The convener of the PBAT-KO Movement and our leader, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, and all his followers are fully committed to tripling President Tinubu’s votes in the election, and nothing will stop us,” he added.
Group expresses confidence in Tinubu’s leadership
Beyond its response to the incident, the movement used the opportunity to reaffirm its support for Tinubu, whom it considers suitable to continue leading the country.
Omolola argued that the President had spent the past three years laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s long-term development, expressing optimism that the administration’s policies would eventually deliver the country’s desired prosperity.
“President Tinubu is not just the best among the candidates; the President is the most suitable leader to lead this country.
“In the last three years, he has laid a solid foundation for a prosperous and great Nigeria. We are confident that President Bola Tinubu will deliver the Nigeria of our dreams,” he stated.
The movement’s spokesman also pointed to the President’s political platform as another factor behind its confidence in his re-election prospects.
He described the All Progressives Congress (APC), under whose platform Tinubu contested the 2023 presidential election, as a formidable and well-organised political party capable of providing the structure required for a successful campaign.
Omolola expressed confidence that the President would defeat his opponents in the next presidential election, scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to his statement.
“In addition to his unmatched sterling qualities, President Tinubu is contesting on the ticket of the most formidable and best organised party in Africa, the APC.
“We are certain that President Tinubu would make mincemeat of all his opponents on the 16th of January, 2027,” he said.
The election date cited by the spokesman should be independently verified before publication.
Olaosebikan’s political background and grassroots strategy
The PBAT-KO Movement was established late last year by Olaosebikan, a former chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area.
Olaosebikan previously participated in Tinubu’s presidential campaign activities, serving on the Media and Publicity Committee of the Tinubu/Shettima APC Presidential Campaign Council in Oyo State during the 2023 election.
The experience forms part of the political background behind his involvement in the movement, which seeks to expand support for Tinubu through community-level engagement.
Since its establishment, the organisation has been mobilising supporters in Oluyole and other areas, with the stated aim of improving on the President’s previous electoral performance.
Its activities are centred on building a stronger grassroots network, coordinating supporters and promoting Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the next presidential contest.
The reported vandalism therefore presents a challenge to the organisation’s campaign infrastructure, although its leadership insists that the incident will not derail its plans.
As the political atmosphere gradually builds towards 2027, the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identities of those responsible and their alleged political affiliations, remain matters requiring independent confirmation.
The movement has reiterated its determination to continue its activities despite the incident. Its allegations against suspected APM-linked individuals should also be put to the party for a response before publication.
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