Political stakeholders, emerging leaders and policymakers in Oyo State have called for increased involvement of youths and women in political leadership and decision-making ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders made the call on Monday at the 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Agodi GRA, Ibadan.
The two-day summit, themed “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, and Mobilizing Emerging Leaders for 2027,” was convened by Hon. Wale Ajani to promote collaboration, reconciliation, strategic engagement and peaceful political participation among emerging political actors across the state.
In his welcome address, Ajani said the summit was organised to sensitise young people to the importance of active political participation, urging them to shun violence and resist being used as instruments for political thuggery.
He also acknowledged the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, whom he said encouraged him to organise the summit in Oyo State.
Speaking at the event, an AI governance leader, researcher and institution builder, Dr. Success Ojo, decried the marginalisation of youths and women in politics, describing their frequent relegation to the “back bench” as unacceptable.
Ojo urged youths and women to look beyond rice, stipends and other short-term incentives offered by politicians, advising them to acquire skills that would enable them to become economically independent and influential participants in governance.
She specifically encouraged participants to embrace Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies, saying they could provide young people with new opportunities for creativity, productivity and sustainable development.
Representing the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Mr. Abdulraheem Adebayo said the agency had recorded significant growth in revenue generation under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Adebayo urged youths to actively participate in politics, saying their involvement was essential to influencing policies, providing solutions and contributing to national development.
Former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Ashimiyu Alarape, also charged emerging political leaders to prepare themselves for future responsibilities.
Alarape advised young politicians to educate themselves, remain proactive and develop the capacity required for effective leadership, while cautioning them against desperation.
He stressed that political opportunities would come at the appropriate time, noting that “politics is turn by turn.”
The Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Olalekan Glory, said the party remained committed to supporting young candidates and promoting their success in the 2027 elections.
Glory urged youths to reject the perception that their role in politics was limited to political thuggery, saying they should instead become active contributors to the political process.
Also speaking, the APC Oyo State Women Leader, Dr. Felicia Opatunde, called for stronger representation of women in political decision-making.
“Women must no longer be content to occupy the audience; they must be at the table where decisions are made,” she said.
The summit featured panel discussions, networking sessions and tactical workshops on grassroots mobilisation, party unity, strategic political engagement and leadership development.
Among those present were Alhaja Tawa Alli, wife of the Oyo State APC governorship candidate, representatives of public institutions, political stakeholders and emerging leaders from across the state.
The summit will continue on Tuesday with a rally walk at the Aleshinloye Museum, Ibadan, as participants seek to strengthen political collaboration and promote greater participation of youths and women ahead of the 2027 general elections.
