The Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Oladunjoye Hamzat, has been appointed Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Southwest Baales Forum.

Hamzat’s appointment was conveyed in an official letter signed by the forum’s Convener, Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, following his nomination to serve alongside other members of the board.

The commissioner, who is the elder brother of Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State APC governorship candidate for the 2027 general election, received the appointment when the Southwest executives of the forum paid a courtesy visit to his office.

Speaking during the visit, Hamzat expressed appreciation to the leadership of the forum for entrusting him with the responsibility.

He particularly commended Bamigbade for his vision and efforts in bringing traditional community leaders across the Southwest together under a common platform.

Hamzat said the forum could play a significant role in strengthening grassroots engagement, given the influence and community-level reach of Baales across the region.

He highlighted the political and cultural importance of traditional community heads, particularly their capacity to mobilise residents and promote cohesion within their communities.

The commissioner also expressed confidence that the active participation of the Southwest Baales Forum in political and community affairs would contribute to strong grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said the forum’s involvement would help guarantee massive turnout and robust support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Southwest Baales Forum is an organisation established to unite traditional community leaders across the South-Western states of Nigeria.

According to its stated objectives, the forum seeks to promote peace, facilitate grassroots development and encourage collaboration among traditional leaders on strategic socio-political and developmental issues affecting the region.

Hamzat’s appointment is expected to further strengthen the forum’s engagement with government and traditional institutions as it seeks to expand its role in regional development and grassroots mobilisation.