The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths has strongly opposed the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, for Lagos State governor in 2027.
This follows a statement by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL) endorsing Seyi Tinubu during an enlarged meeting in Owerri, Imo State.
CONYL, an umbrella body representing youth groups across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, announced the endorsement in a statement signed by its leaders, including President General Comrade Goodluck Ibem and Secretary Comrade Junard Abubakar.
The group declared that Seyi Tinubu has the democratic right to contest but suggested he could govern Osun State, where his family reportedly hails from, or Imo State, where the endorsement was issued.
Reacting to this, the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths, through a statement signed by Abdul Kareem Whyte on Wednesday, condemned the endorsement as “anti-democracy” and a deliberate move to sideline Lagos indigenes in their own state.
“Our attention has been drawn to the recent endorsement of Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor by a group known as Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL). While we know Mr. Seyi Tinubu has his democratic rights as a Nigerian, we condemn the ill-fated endorsement and describe it as anti-democracy and a deliberate move by some faceless individuals to deny indigenes of Lagos State the right to govern themselves in 2027,” the statement read.
The group expressed frustration over the marginalization of true Lagos indigenes in leadership positions since 1999, attributing this to the state’s underdevelopment.
“It is no longer news that since 1999, no true blood indigenes of Lagos State have taken over the mantle of leadership in the state (except one),” the group added.
The coalition further advised Seyi Tinubu to exercise his political ambitions in Osun or Imo, stating, “We know as a fact that there will soon be a vacancy in Osun State where Mr. Seyi Tinubu can best exercise his democratic rights unhindered. And if the people of Owerri in Imo are interested, they can push him to succeed Governor Uzodinma.”
The group further warned against efforts by non-indigenes to manipulate Lagos’ traditional rulers for endorsements.
“We are hereby calling on the Oba of Lagos to beware of persons who will soon seek indigeneship of Lagos State because of 2027. We are ready to fight dirty if the Oba of Lagos allows such anti-Lagos Indigenes move,” the statement concluded.
The coalition also urged CONYL to focus on advocating for good governance rather than fueling political tensions in Lagos State.
