Thousands of party faithful, political stakeholders, artisans, market traders and residents flooded the streets of Lagos Island today as the Lagos Island for PBAT-KOH Campaign Support Group officially flagged off its grand Independence Day Unity Walk 2026.

Timed to coincide with Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary celebration on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the grassroots movement served a dual purpose: honoring the nation’s historic milestone and launching an intensive door-to-door, polling-unit level mobilization drive ahead of upcoming electoral contests.

The rally saw supporters stream in synchronized processions across major historical neighborhoods of the Island, including Olowogbowe, Isale Eko, Idunmota, Agarawu, Oko Faji, Campos, Okepopo, and Lafiaji.

The dispersed streams eventually converged at the central destination on Oshodi Street in Epetedo, where community leaders, elders and party leaders assembled to celebrate Nigeria’s 66th birthday alongside thousands of energetic marchers.

Speaking during the procession, the convener of the rally, Abdel-Jaleel Taiwo Olasupo (from Ward G1, Constituency 2, Lagos Island), emphasized that the event marks a fundamental shift in electoral strategy for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos Island.

“Prior to now, we have not been doing door-to-door awareness. This started now,” Olasupo stated. “The leadership of the party, led by respected elders Prince Tajudeen Olusi and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has instructed that everyone must go back to their respective polling units to mobilize votes directly.”

Rebuffing claims that the area historically produces representatives who drift away from their constituents, Olasupo defended Lagos Island’s political track record as the solid “backbone of Lagos State.”

“That is a very wrong impression. There has never been a time that the people of this local government have made allegations against our candidates or that they have disappointed us,” he noted, pointing to his background as a professional accountant.

“In the last election, we delivered about 28,000 votes across Constituencies 1 and 2. But with this structured polling-unit mobilization, we are projecting to deliver between 250,000 and 300,000 votes for our party.”

He noted that the Unity Walk aimed to galvanize grassroots support across all tiers of governance. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (CFR) Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat ,Incoming Governor of Lagos State, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni ,Lagos Central Senatorial District,Dr. Fuad Okey Olabode (Pombago) , House of Representatives (Constituency 1), Prince Durosinmi Mesioye Akiloye House of Representatives (Constituency 2),Princess Lara Owoje Oluwa-Megbon — Lagos State House of Assembly (Constituency 1),Hon. Olusegun Yemisi Yunus (Saha) ,Lagos State House of Assembly (Constituency 2)and others.

Addressing residents on why they should re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC platform, Olasupo highlighted tangible achievements made over recent years, including: Major road projects such as the Badagry-Sokoto corridor and key Lagos expressways. The operationalization of NELFUND (Nigerian Education Loan Fund), granting interest-free loans to tertiary students.Stabilization of foreign exchange rates, growth in foreign reserves, and local government financial autonomy.Ending persistent ASUU university strikes to allow students to graduate on schedule.

“President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu knows the job.He has stabilized our foreign reserves, handled the exchange rate and granted true autonomy to local governments. Experience matters and we want Nigeria to give him the time needed to complete the task ahead.”

The event concluded in Epetedo with civic speeches, cultural displays and a call for unregistered voters to collect their PVCs and prepare to turn out in record numbers at the polling booths.