APC SW Youth Group Appeals for Youth Development Ministerial Slot

By Sunday Ogunsakin

Nigeria - The South-West Young Stakeholders' Forum of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a young person from the region as the Minister for Youth Development.

Their appeal follow the minor reshuffling of Ministers-Designate portfolios by the President last week, which has now led to a vacancy in the Youth Ministry.

In a press statement by the forum entitled: "AN URGENT APPEAL REGARDING THE YOUTH MINISTERIAL SLOT" signed by Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo and Babajide Akeredolu, Chairman and co-Chair, ten nominees from the South-West were put forward. 

From the Ekiti and Ondo axis, the Forum recommended Makinde Araoye, an active member of the APC in Ekiti State; Seun Olufemi-White, a key member of the Renewed Hope youth movement and close ally of the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu; and Ayodele Olawande, the APC State Youth Leader in Ondo.

From the Osun and Oyo axis, the forum nominated Bolaji Afeez Repete, former Deputy National Youth Leader of the APC; Prince Oyekunle Oyewumi, a prince of Ogbomoso and party stakeholder from Oyo state; Titilope Ayoka Gbadamosi, an active member of the party in Oyo, who also vied for the position of Zonal Youth Leader at the last APC National Convention; and Ademola Adeyeye, a leading young member of the party in Osun.

From Lagos and Ogun states, which already have two and three ministers each, the forum nominated Abdullahi Dayo Israel, the current APC National Youth Leader who, insiders say, has been actively lobbying for the position; Bayo Adenekan, a rallying point for young people in Ogun State who served as an adviser to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his first term; and Dr. Seriki Muritala, a medical doctor and current youth leader of the APC in Lagos State.

Below is the full press statement:

AN URGENT APPEAL REGARDING THE YOUTH MINISTERIAL SLOT

Against the backdrop of the recent reshuffle of ministerial portfolios which has led to a vacancy in the Ministry of Youth Development, we the members of the APC South-West Young Stakeholders Forum wish to appeal to our father and leader, H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to consider one of the underlisted youth stalwarts of our great party for the position. 

This list has been drafted in line with the key principles of equity and justice. We are not unmindful of the fact that Ogun has three (3) representatives in the Federal Executive Council, while Lagos has two (2) and other states in the region – Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo – have just one each. 

To this end, this list has been drafted following extensive consultations and we have utmost faith in the capacity of the underlisted young people:

EKITI & ONDO AXIS

1. Makinde Araoye (MKD)

2. Seun Olufemi-White

3. Ayodele Olawande. 

OYO & OSUN AXIS

1. Bolaji Afeez Repete

2. Prince Oyekunle Oyewumi 

3. Titilope Ayoka Gbadamosi

4. Ademola Adeyeye. 

LAGOS & OGUN AXIS

1. Abdullahi Dayo Israel

2. Bayo Adenekan

3. Dr Seriki Muritala. 

We would be exceedingly thankful if one of the young people listed above could be appointed as Minister for Youth Development. We wish to assure the President of their unflinching loyalty and commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda, the APC and our beloved nation.

Signed for the APC South-West Young Stakeholders Forum

Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo 

Chairman

Babajide Akeredolu

Co-Chairman