ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE — The United Traders Association (UTA), a coalition of traders, artisans, technicians and business groups in Ogun State, has endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon, popularly known as Yayi, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was made on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during a gathering of members of the association and representatives of its affiliated groups in the pavilion area of the Ake Palace, Ogun State.
Speaking during the event, the Convener of the United Traders Association, Alhaji Fasiu Olaniyi Ajadi, assured Senator Yayi of the association's support for his gubernatorial campaign, while reiterating the group's commitment to the APC in the state.
Ajadi said the association had brought together various interest groups operating across the state's trading and artisan communities, with the objective of presenting a common position on the forthcoming election.
The coalition comprises groups representing traders, automobile technicians, timber contractors, livestock dealers, mobile phone dealers and technicians, motor spare-parts dealers, plank sellers, fish sellers and other business operators.
Among the groups listed under the United Traders Association are Isale Igbein Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association; Plank Sellers Association of Ogun State, Lafenwa Branch; Alan Q For YAYI; Traders Association for Yayi; Earth Moving Equipment; Olomore Rams, Iron, Pepper/Hiring Owners and Operators; Fish Seller Association of Nigeria (EMEHOOAN); Egba Ram & Goat Sellers; Sanni/Araromi YAYI Movement; Ogun State Plank Sellers Association, Ijaiye Branch; Cow Owners & Sellers Rounder; Plank Sellers Association; Egba Unity Forum 4 YAYI Fadage/Fadama Community; Motormechs & Technicians Development Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN); Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Kobape Branch; Agenda for Citizen Development (AGE C.I.D); Kemta Indigenous Timber Contractors, Egba Zone; Mobile Phone Dealers & Technicians Association Ogun State (MOPDATEC), Abeokuta Computer Village; Yayi Central Mandate Group; Phase 2 Federal Housing Estate Olomore Community for Yayi; Mass Movements for YAYI-KAAB; and Yayi Statewide Support Group.
The association said its member organisations were mobilising around their respective communities and business clusters ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
Yayi promises business support
Responding to the endorsement, Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon Yayi promised to provide financial assistance to members of the traders' groups to support their businesses.
According to the information provided by the association, Yayi pledged ₦50,000 each to the traders during the engagement.
The proposed support was presented as part of efforts to assist members of the business community and strengthen their capacity to sustain their various commercial activities.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for representatives of the groups to highlight the importance of small businesses, trading activities and artisan enterprises to the local economy.
The United Traders Association maintained that its member organisations would continue to engage their communities and stakeholders as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement adds another layer to the ongoing political mobilisation in Ogun State, where parties, candidates, community organisations, professional groups and interest associations are increasingly holding consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.
While the UTA has publicly declared its position in support of Yayi and the APC, the eventual electoral outcome will be determined by voters at the polls.
The association's endorsement and the financial-support pledge remain claims and commitments made at the October 6 engagement and are reported as such.
