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Nigerian youths reposition for active political leadership

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With the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill still pending approval by President Muhammadu Buhari, youths in Nigeria have began to position themselves for political leadership and active participation in the upcoming elections in 2019 and beyond, especially with the registration of the new Modern Democratic Party.

The new party, led by 27-year old activist and entrepreneur, Prince Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, represents the new face of active youth involvement in politics. Recently registered by Nigeria’s top electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party intends to galvanise youths into engaging in policy formulation, government accountability and running for political office.

According to Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, the party belongs solely to Nigerians who yearn to see a difference in politics and governance. He explained that the mission of the party is to be home for those who are weary of the status quo and want to be part of something fresh, new, untainted and different.

“We are focused on harnessing the mental and physical resources of this unique generation of youth brimming with fresh ideas and innovations which will finally put Nigeria in its rightful place on the world stage,” Olateru-Olagbegi said.

“We know that the journey ahead of us will be long. This is not a party registered for the 2019 presidential elections. We are here for the long haul and wish to call on all true patriots of our fatherland to get involved as we embark on this journey towards building Nigeria’s first and truly Modern Democratic Party.”

Last year, the Nigerian Senate passed the Not Too Young To Run Bill which seeks age reduction for elective officers in the country and allows the youths an opportunity to contest for the office of the president at the age of 35, and governor or senator at the age of 30.

As young people across the country are calling on President Buhari to assent to the bill, the Modern Democratic Party has gone ahead to unveil its manifesto and planned activities in preparation for next year’s general elections.

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APC youths oppose alleged plot to replace assembly candidate in Ido LG 

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The Concerned Youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ido Local Government Area of  Oyo State, have expressed strong opposition to what they described as alleged moves to replace or tamper with the party’s duly elected House of Assembly candidate, Hon. Abass Animasahun, urging leaders to respect the outcome of the primary election.

In a statement released on Friday by the group immediately after its meeting, the youths commended party leaders, elders, and stakeholders for their commitment, sacrifices, and contributions to the growth and stability of the APC in Ido Local Government, noting that their leadership has helped sustain unity within the party.

They also praised the conduct of the party’s House of Assembly primary election, which produced Hon. Abass Animasahun as candidate, describing the process as transparent, credible, and reflective of the true will of party members and delegates.

According to them, the outcome of the primary election represents the collective decision of party faithful and should be protected in the interest of internal democracy and fairness.

“The people have spoken through a legitimate process,” the statement said. “The mandate freely given by party members  must be respected and protected, as democracy can only thrive when the will of the people is upheld.”

The youths warned that any attempt to substitute or alter the outcome of the primary election could create unnecessary tension and dissatisfaction within the party structure in Ido Local Government Area.

They noted that such interference could also weaken party unity and discourage loyal members who participated in the electoral process in good faith.

“It is important to state clearly that any attempt to change or manipulate the mandate after a legitimate primary election may create avoidable crisis and division among party faithful,” the group warned.

Reaffirming their loyalty to the APC, the youths called on party leaders at all levels to stand firmly in defence of the primary election outcome and ensure that justice, fairness, and internal democracy are upheld.

They, however urged unity within the party, stressing that Ido Local Government must continue on a path of progress and stability, while warning against any action capable of reversing the gains already achieved.

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Why I left APC –  Iyabo Obasanjo Explains

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Former Ogun Central Senator and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned her membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying repeated rejection, lack of consultation and what she described as disrespect from the party leadership in Ogun State forced her decision.

Obasanjo, a former Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State Chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi..

A copy of the letter was made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The former lawmaker, who recently sought the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election, expressed disappointment over the process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s consensus candidate.

She said while she had willingly agreed to support any candidate that emerged through a consensus arrangement, she was neither consulted nor carried along before Adeola was unveiled.

According to her, some of her supporters were also prevented from entering the venue of the unveiling and allegedly intimidated.

Still, Obasanjo said she chose to accept the outcome for the sake of party unity and publicly congratulated Adeola on the night he emerged.

She revealed that the senator later requested a meeting with her supporters, during which three demands were presented to him.

According to her, Adeola promised to get back to the group within one week, but over two months later, no response had come.

For Obasanjo, the silence reflected a deeper pattern of disregard.

“I agreed to support whichever candidate emerged through a consensus process, but I was not consulted before Senator Adeola was presented as the consensus candidate,” she said.

“Some of my supporters were denied access to the venue and intimidated. Nevertheless, I accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator Adeola that same night.

“Following his emergence, Senator Adeola requested a meeting with my supporters. During that meeting, three requests were made and he promised to respond within one week. More than two months later, no response has been received.

“The treatment I have received since then has reflected a consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect. When disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcomed.”

Despite her grievances, Obasanjo expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Ogun APC Chairman Chief Sanusi and leaders of the Ogun Central Senatorial District for the support and courtesy she enjoyed while in the party.
She specifically appreciated the senatorial leadership led by Chief Soremi.

Obasanjo only returned to active partisan politics earlier this year after registering with the APC in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

She later declared interest in contesting the Ogun governorship election on the platform of the party.

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Insecurity: Makinde Lacks Capacity to Govern, Should Resign – APC

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.

Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.

Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.

Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”

He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”

The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.

“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.

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