2023 : AMUWO ODOFIN COUNCIL OF OBAS ENGAGE RIVERINE YOUTH LEADERS ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL : January 29th, 2023

2023 : AMUWO ODOFIN COUNCIL OF OBAS ENGAGE RIVERINE YOUTH LEADERS ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Nigerian youths can significantly impact the outcome of the 2023 elections if they are intentional about what the future means to them. There are instances in other climes when youth influenced electoral outcomes. Perhaps the most well-known is former US President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and election, which was driven by young people. In another example, the term “youthquake” was used in the United Kingdom after young voters saw British Labour Party deny the Conservative Party an expected majority win in 2017.

Will the 2023 general election be a defining moment for Amuwo Odofin youths and the future of Nigeria? Obviously, this is the slippery question that set the tone at a recent gathering of Youth leaders from.the riverine communities in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency.

The event which held at Inagbe Resort and Conference Center on Friday 27th, January 2023 was a gathering of all the youth leaders and their Secretaries from Ward H, I, and J at the instance of the Amuwo Odofin Council of Obas and Chiefs ably led by its Chairman, HRM Oba Mobalende Oyekan.

The Traditional Rulers however, were concerned about a rhetorical question : Will Amuwo Odofin youths constructively deploy their demographic power to influence the outcome of the election and redefine the future of Nigeria, or would they sacrifice it on the altar of the immediate convenience of the primordial sensibilities of ethno-religious sentiment, political party affiliation, and economic considerations?.

One after the other the youths spoke their minds stressing their concerns and also thankful of the recognition given to them by the royal fathers.

Several progressive recommendations on youths political participation in Amuwo Odofin were highlighted for referencing.

One of the traditional rulers said they choose to engage them (youths) because ” …The youths are the most powerful voting bloc by numbers, and ironically they seem unaware of the power they have to decide the fate of power strugglers, and to reshape the socio-political landscape of Amuwo Odofin the way they want it to be. Achieving this requires the youths coagulating into one potent and unique power bloc in the Amuwo firmament. “

Former Minister of State for Defense, who is also an Apex leader in Badagry Division, Sen Musiliu Obanikoro while encouraging the youths to return the ruling party at the February 25th polls stressed that “…the youth participate less in the most critical aspect of the electoral process itself – voting. Herein lies the conundrum. How can youths influence the country’s leadership when there is enormous voting apathy among them, and the few who vote are not coordinated to vote en bloc to influence the outcome of elections? What a waste of political power“.

The former Ambassador to Ghana charged the youth leaders to mobilise others and vote enmasse for the ruling All Progressive Congress Candidates.

APC Stalwarts and key Campaigner for Asiwaju/Shettima 2023, Captain Adebayo Olaobaoluwaju Dosunmu highlighted the key qualities of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and why he should be voted in by the youths.

Dosunmu who is also a youth advocate, stated “Harnessing the enthusiasm among youths is easier now than ever. The reason is that they are getting the brunt of the challenges. They are beginning to link their myriad of problems to leadership.”

He said, “We will keep sensitising the youths and telling them to eschew any form of violence and promote peace wherever they find themselves. The 2023 general elections is a very decisive period for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency and Nigeria and we urge Amuwo youths to get their PVC and vote Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for President, Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Governor, Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule as Senator Lagos West, Prince Lanre Sanusi as House of Representative while the duo of Hon Rauf and Hon Olawestern for Amuwo Odofin Assembly 1&2.”

The Council of Oba’s and Chiefs unanimously aligned themselves with all APC candidates, charging the youths in Riverine to ensure victory for the APC.