Politics
2023: Nigerian youths will vote massively for Tinubu – Olaosebikan
The social media-generated euphoria surrounding the ambition of Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has been described as a flash in the pan that will disappear in no time.
Founder of an Oyo State-based youth group, Ojo Ola Oyo, Mr. Kehinde Olaosebikan made the declaration in Ibadan Thursday while speaking with journalists at the sideline of the extraordinary meeting of the group at Mount Pleasant Hotel, Podo.
Olaosebikan said such flashes were not new to the political, social, and economic environments of Nigeria stating that they usually disappeared as they came, “because they were never based on anything concrete but mere fantasy, illusion and grandstanding”.
Olaosebikan who was asked by journalists about how his now popular projection that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be the next President of Nigeria considering the seeming popularity of Peter Obi, maintained that from his experience with the Nigerian youths they would rather act now based on realities and proven records of achievements having suffered so much in the hands of politicians who had promised them heaven on earth but eventually made life more hellish for them.
“This is not the first time we are witnessing such fleeting euphoria.
“We had seen pastor politicians who gained temporary traction because of declaration that God asked them to contest for president; in business, we had seen flashes in form of finance houses promising incredible interests; in real estate, we had seen flashes of mortgage firms making impossible offers during the time of ‘everybody come inside’; in medicine, we had witnessed passing euphoria too, where marketers promoted a drug for the cure of all ailments that eventually cured nothing; all hurtled because they were based on fantasies.
“From my experience with the youths today including those you are seeing here now, they can be said to be wiser now and more realistic. They are not ready to take promises. They want to see what you have done concretely in the past and assess you mainly on such accomplishments and feats.
“So, I can tell you they are ready and more inclined to vote for the candidate that is known to have ‘developed boys to men’ as the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio described the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the candidate that has developed and mentored both young and old Nigerians to become governors, ministers, vice presidents, and president.
“A leader and candidate that has brought prosperity to his state by raising IGR from less than a billion Naira to 15b within 8 years; a candidate that has brought marked growth and stability to the political and social being of his state, making Lagos the model for development in all aspects in Nigeria today. This is someone the youth can look up to, in whom they see hope and greater Nigeria ahead.
“For me, Nigerians, both youths and the old, we should be practical in the choice of our next president and consider capacity, competence, experience, and antecedents and not any primordial sentiments or promises based on misapprehension”, the media aide to late Governor Lam Adesina said.
He urged the youths to use cyberspace more positively for their businesses and towards the growth and unity of Nigeria as well as for the promotion of the person with the best track records of making life better for the masses of this country.
Olaosebikan stressed that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Tinubu has demonstrated to be the best so far amongst all the former governors and leaders in Nigeria, particularly those contesting the presidential race with him in all aspects of life. “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has established himself as the most functional politician, leader, administrator, nation builder in the country today.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of Ojo Ola Oyo, Mr. Wale Adesope pledged the total commitment of the group to the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu disclosing that it would when the campaign proper starts, embark on “house to house, cell to cell, media to media, platform to form” campaign to fully mobilize the youths for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because, “ We are very sure that he will do well for the youths as the President of our dear country”, said Adesope.
He was full of praise for the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare for the numerous life-changing innovative programs being implemented by the ministry adding that the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) was the best thing to have happened to Nigerian youth in terms of real empowerment economically, socially and politically.
He urged the beneficiaries of the loan scheme being given to youths between the ages of 18 and 35 to make good use of the fund for the improvement of their lives and society as a whole.
The Oyo State Government on Friday presented the staff and instruments of office to the new Alakufo of Akufo in Ido Local Government Area, Engr. Lamidi Taoreed Ayankojo Adefisoye.
The presentation, held at the Ido Local Government Secretariat, followed the approval of Adefisoye’s appointment by Governor Seyi Makinde.
A memo dated June 24, 2026, from the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, titled “Re: Filling of Vacant Stool of Alakufo,” conveyed the governor’s approval.
The memo, with reference number CB141/152/4T/119 and signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Kola Abiola, on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, stated that the appointment took effect from October 23, 2023.
It read in part, “I am directed to inform you with great pleasure that His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, has graciously approved your appointment as the Alakufo of Akufo with effect from October 23, 2023.”
The staff of office was presented to the monarch by the Chairman of Ido Local Government, Sheriff Aderemi Adeojo, alongside Abiola, who represented the state government.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Head of Local Government Administration in Ido, Alhaji Sarafadeen; the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the council, Mr Adelu; the head of the Adefisoye family, Mogaji Nurudeen Adegbola Adefisoye; the head of the Okekegan family of Akufo, Asiwaju Tunde Black; and Alhaji AbdulAzeez AbdulSalam.
Speaking after receiving the staff of office, Adefisoye expressed appreciation to Makinde, the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, and the Ido Local Government chairman for their support.
He also thanked the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and all those who contributed to the successful completion of the selection process.
The monarch expressed gratitude to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and members of the Olubadan-in-Council for their support throughout the process.
He pledged to work closely with the state and local governments while promoting peace and development in the community.
Adefisoye promised to prioritise infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, investment, security, transportation, and the preservation of Akufo’s cultural heritage.
He called on indigenes of the community, both at home and abroad, to unite in support of efforts aimed at accelerating the development of the town.
“I accept this honour with humility and a deep commitment to serve. This is not my vision alone; it is our collective mission. I invite all sons and daughters of Akufo, at home and abroad, to join hands with me in building a peaceful, united and prosperous community for future generations,” he said.
Market men and women across Oyo South Senatorial District have declared support for the senatorial ambition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the district, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, and reaffirmed their backing for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The traders said their endorsement was driven by the lawmaker’s sustained grassroots interventions and what they described as his people-centred representation.
The endorsement came on Monday during an interactive engagement in Ibadan with market stakeholders drawn from the nine local government areas of the senatorial district.
At the event, Oseni supported market men and women across the district with N90 million, with each of the nine local government areas receiving N10 million to boost petty trading, expand businesses and stimulate grassroots economic activity.
In a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker said the intervention was part of efforts to improve livelihoods and deepen economic inclusion, particularly among small-scale traders.
Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said empowering market operators remained central to his development agenda.
He said markets remained the heartbeat of local communities, noting that traders’ resilience continues to sustain families and drive local economies.
“This intervention is aimed at strengthening their businesses, easing economic pressure and encouraging enterprise at the grassroots,” he said.
The APC chieftain added that his representation would continue to focus on practical interventions with visible impact.
“Leadership must translate into visible impact. I remain committed to initiatives that support small businesses, create opportunities for growth and complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Oseni also canvassed support for President Tinubu among traders in Oyo South, saying stronger alignment between federal, state, senatorial and local government leadership would accelerate development in the state.
He listed the Tinubu administration’s initiatives to include the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND, measures to curb industrial actions in tertiary institutions, tuition-free technical colleges, construction and rehabilitation of major highways, agricultural support programmes and subsidies for cancer treatment, fuel subsidy removal, which he noted has boosted state and local government revenues.
He urged traders to mobilise support for APC candidates in the next general elections, expressing confidence that Tinubu’s re-election would further improve residents’ welfare.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, the Coordinator of Market Men and Women in Oyo South Senatorial District and Babaloja of Omi-Adio and Ido Local Government, Chief Odedele Waheed, commended the turnout and described the engagement as a demonstration of confidence in Oseni’s leadership.
He lauded the lawmaker for sustained grassroots development efforts, noting that the N90 million support would strengthen businesses across the district.
Odedele also commended the leadership of market men and women in Oyo State for granting traders approval to meet and interact with the lawmaker, saying the platform allowed them to express concerns and understand his vision for Oyo South.
The traders pledged to mobilise support across markets in the district in favour of Oseni’s electoral bid and President Tinubu’s re-election.
Those present included the Babaloja of Ibadan North East, Ibrahim Balogun; Babaloja of Ibadan South West, Rafiu Iyo; Babaloja of Ibadan North West, Alhaji Tajudeen Hammed; Alhaji Abdulraman Salawudeen; Asiwaju Oloja of Ibarapa Zone, Chief Okanlawon John Adebisi; Babaloja of Ibadan North, Chief Adewole Basirat; and Iyaloja of Ibarapa Central, Chief Ige Fausat, among others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the Governor of Ekiti State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Biodun Oyebanji, winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, announced the result at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, saying Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals and secure a second term in office.
According to Oladiji, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Oluwole Oluyede, garnered 40,543 votes, while the African Democratic Congress candidate, Dare Bejide, secured 12,872 votes.
She said 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, while 375,777 valid votes were recorded. The electoral umpire also announced that 6,332 votes were rejected, bringing the total number of votes cast to 382,109.
The declaration capped a governorship poll largely adjudged peaceful by observers and security agencies, despite complaints of malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines, delayed commencement of voting in some polling units and allegations of voter intimidation by opposition parties.
INEC said voting was conducted in all the 2,445 polling units across the state’s 16 local government areas, noting that 2,257 units, representing 92.31 per cent, opened before 8.30 a.m., while 188 polling units commenced accreditation and voting before 10.30 a.m. after experiencing minor delays.
The commission also commenced uploading polling unit results to its Results Viewing Portal shortly after the completion of voting and counting in several centres.
The PDP candidate, Oluyede, had expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the exercise at Ugele/Arokun Ward in Ikere Local Government Area, alleging that many prospective voters were disenfranchised due to BVAS-related challenges.
Speaking with journalists after voting at Polling Unit 006, he further alleged cases of harassment and intimidation of voters in the area.
Some elderly voters at the polling unit also lamented difficulties encountered during accreditation and urged INEC to urgently rectify the technical glitches.
The ADC candidate, Bejide, similarly alleged irregularities during the exercise.
However, Oyebanji dismissed the claims, insisting that those making allegations of electoral misconduct should provide credible evidence to support them.
The governor, who voted at Polling Unit 003, Okelele, Ikogosi-Ekiti, in Ekiti West Local Government Area, described the election as satisfactory and urged eligible voters yet to cast their ballots to do so peacefully.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Abayomi Shogunle, said no case of vote-buying was reported to security agencies throughout the exercise.
Election observers commended the peaceful atmosphere that characterised the poll but raised concerns over procedural inconsistencies.
The First Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sebastian Anyia, described the process as orderly and peaceful, saying voter turnout was encouraging.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Brenda Anugwom, lauded the resilience of female voters, many of whom remained at polling units for several hours with their children to exercise their franchise.
Yiaga Africa, however, expressed concern over discrepancies involving ballot papers, result sheets and INEC’s published list of candidates, warning that such inconsistencies could create challenges during collation and reconciliation of results.
The election observer group urged INEC to provide further clarification on the final list of participating parties and candidates and issue clear guidance to electoral officials handling result documentation.
Ahead of the poll, INEC and security agencies had repeatedly assured residents of their preparedness to deliver a peaceful, credible and transparent election, deploying personnel and restricting vehicular movement to forestall electoral violence and other offences.
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