The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency, Abdulquawiy Olododo, has commenced grassroots engagement across the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Olododo, an engineer, has held meetings with community leaders, youth groups, persons with disabilities, non-indigenous residents and community development associations as part of efforts to engage residents and understand their needs.

The engagements focused on issues including inclusive representation, economic empowerment, infrastructure, security and employment, while providing residents with an opportunity to present their concerns and expectations to the APC candidate.

Among the groups that met with Olododo was the Abdulquawiy Cook Olododo (ACO) Youth Forum, led by Comrade Afeez Kolawole.

The forum briefed the candidate on its grassroots mobilisation activities across the constituency's 23 wards, including door-to-door and market-to-market engagements.

The meeting also featured discussions on public reactions to the forum's recent outreach at Ipata Market, where pillows were distributed to traders and residents.

Kolawole explained that the items were donated by supporters as a goodwill gesture and formed part of the forum's broader approach to engaging residents in markets, homes and communities rather than relying solely on political rallies.

He said the initiative was also aimed at listening to residents' concerns while promoting Olododo's vision for effective representation.

Responding, Olododo appreciated the group's support but stressed that his candidacy should ultimately be assessed based on his ideas, engagement with residents and capacity to deliver effective representation.

"I welcome the support of independent groups backing my aspiration, but my candidacy should ultimately be judged by my ideas, my engagement with the people and my capacity to deliver effective representation," he said.

The APC candidate urged his supporters to maintain peaceful and issue-based grassroots engagement while strengthening their connections with communities across the constituency.

Olododo also met with leaders of the Hausa community and members of the Ilorin Emirate Hausa Physically Challenged AA Group.

The group appealed for greater inclusion, vocational training and empowerment opportunities for persons living with disabilities.

In response, Olododo reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive representation, announced the payment of one year's office rent for the disability group and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at improving their welfare.

During a separate meeting with the Akanbi Non-Indigenous Forum, members raised concerns about access to potable water, employment opportunities and other basic amenities.

Olododo assured the group of his commitment to promoting job creation, youth empowerment and community development, while complementing the developmental efforts of the Kwara State Government.

At Iponrin, members of the Ita-Alade Community Development Association commended Olododo for previous interventions in the community and appealed for additional support for potable water supply and skills acquisition programmes.

The association also reaffirmed its support for Olododo's candidature across its eight polling units.