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By Bolaji Okunola
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Tinubu Progressive Advocate (TPA) has unveiled an initiative to distribute five million customised footballs across Nigeria as part of efforts to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The initiative was officially unveiled during the inauguration of the organisation’s National Board of Trustees, state chapter representatives and other key officials at an event held in Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State.
The programme, themed around promoting a greater Nigeria, attracted several political stakeholders, community leaders, sports administrators and other dignitaries, who expressed support for the organisation’s grassroots mobilisation strategy.
Among those inaugurated into leadership positions were the Vice Chairman of Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Olatunji Ajasa, and the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Laimeed Gafar, alongside other prominent personalities.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of TPA, Ambassador Moses Elaho, alongside the organisation’s Secretary, Hon Samuel Bamidele, and Patron, Prince Olayinka Ajasa Oniru, explained that the football initiative was designed to attract young people and encourage their participation in the political process ahead of the next general elections.
According to the leaders, football remains one of the most influential tools for bringing Nigerians, particularly young people, together, irrespective of their backgrounds, social status or political affiliations.
They maintained that the distribution of five million customised footballs would provide an opportunity to engage communities through sporting activities while promoting the organisation’s political objectives.
Elaho said the initiative was expected to extend beyond Lagos State, with other state chapters preparing to adopt similar activities in their respective communities.
“This initiative will serve as a tool to gather youths ahead of the forthcoming election. We all know that the game of football cannot be underestimated in Nigerian communities.
“We in Lagos have unveiled the ball today, and I am sure other states will do so in the coming days. I am also using this medium to urge community leaders to start organising grassroots football tournaments to promote the President’s image positively ahead of the election,” he said.
The TPA National Coordinator also expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to address some of the country’s pressing challenges, including economic hardship, hunger and insecurity.
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He noted that although Nigerians were experiencing difficult economic conditions, the President had acknowledged the challenges and remained committed to finding solutions.
“The President has several times stated that he is aware of the economic hardship, hunger and insecurity in the land, and I am sure he will further address these issues in his second term,” Elaho assured.
In a related development, the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Laimeed Gafar, called on grassroots football coaches, players and other sports enthusiasts to take advantage of the initiative by organising competitions that would encourage greater political participation.
Gafar emphasised that football possessed the ability to attract large gatherings and create opportunities for political engagement, particularly among young people who constitute a significant segment of the country’s voting population.
He urged grassroots football stakeholders to work together and use the customised footballs to organise community-based competitions that would also encourage eligible Nigerians to participate in the electoral process.
“All I need to say is that grassroots coaches and soccer players should unite by organising competitions with the ball. With this, voters will come out massively to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and re-elect Tinubu as the next President,” he stated.
The football administrator further pledged the support of the Lagos State Football Association towards ensuring that the initiative reached communities and other relevant stakeholders across the state.
According to him, the association would continue to support efforts aimed at taking the customised footballs to different parts of Lagos and other states, while encouraging grassroots participation in the programme.
“We in the FA will not relent in making sure this ball gets to all necessary quarters in the state and other parts of the country. I am sure that with that, we are good to go,” Gafar added.
The launch represents TPA’s attempt to deploy sports, particularly football, as a grassroots mobilisation platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With football enjoying widespread popularity across Nigeria, the organisation believes that community tournaments and related sporting activities could provide an effective avenue for reaching young people and encouraging political engagement.
The success of the initiative, however, will depend on its implementation across the states and the ability of the organisation’s leadership to translate the proposed five-million-football distribution into sustained grassroots activities ahead of the elections.
