Political leaders, policy experts, and emerging political actors across Oyo State have strongly advocated for the substantive inclusion of youth and women in governance, challenging them to transcend immediate financial benefits and become active pillars of policy formulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The collective call formed the crux of deliberations on Monday at the opening of the 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders (EPL) Summit, held at the Ibadan Civic Centre in Agodi GRA. The high-profile event, convened by renowned strategist Hon. Wale Ajani, aims to foster strategic collaboration, reconciliation, and responsible political participation across the pacesetter state.
Welcoming attendees, Ajani explained that the summit was organized to sensitize the next generation on the power of collective political engagement. He strongly cautioned young people against allowing themselves to be weaponized for electoral violence, urging them to prioritize peace and constructive dialogue instead.
In her presentation, AI governance researcher and institution builder, Dr. Success Ojo, decried the traditional “back-bench” status structurally forced onto women and young people. She specifically charged them to aim higher than temporary packages like rice, short-term stipends, and campaign handouts.
“Young people must leverage digital advancements and Artificial Intelligence to upgrade their skills, unlock sustainable income opportunities, and break free from total dependency on political stipends,” Dr. Ojo asserted.
Echoing this stance, Mr. Abdulraheem Adebayo, representing the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, emphasized that youth involvement should focus strictly on driving sustainable public solutions. He urged the younger demographic to view politics as an avenue to actively influence national development rather than an avenue for personal, immediate enrichment.
Offering seasoned counsel, the former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ashimiyu Alarape, advised emerging leaders to guard against political desperation. He underscored the value of continuous capacity building, remarking that “politics is turn by turn,” and urging youth leaders to patiently cultivate the competence required for future governance responsibilities.
From an institutional standpoint, the Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Olalekan Glory, dismissed public narratives painting the state’s youth primarily as political thugs. He assured that the party is proactively protecting and advancing the electoral interests of credible young candidates.
Concurrently, the State APC Women Leader, Dr. Felicia Opatunde, demanded a radical shift in gender inclusion, stating: “Women must no longer be content to occupy the audience; they must be at the table where decisions are made.”
The two-day summit continues on Tuesday with a civic rally walk commencing at the Aleshinloye Museum in Ibadan.
