The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths has strongly rejected the endorsement of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, for the Lagos State governorship in 2027 by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL).
The group has criticized the move as anti-democratic and a deliberate attempt to deny the indigenes of Lagos their right to govern the state.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths expressed deep concern over the endorsement, which was made during a recent meeting in Owerri, Imo State.
According to the group, while acknowledging Seyi Tinubu’s democratic rights as a Nigerian, they condemned the endorsement, calling it a strategy by certain individuals to undermine the political aspirations of Lagos indigenes.
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“Our attention has been drawn to the recent endorsement of Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), and we reject it outright,” said Abdul Kareem Whyte, spokesperson for the coalition.
The endorsement, issued by CONYL’s leadership in Owerri, suggested that Seyi Tinubu could contest for the governorship in Lagos in 2027, despite not being considered a true indigene of the state.
The youth group pointed out that Lagos has been led by non-indigenes since the return of democracy in 1999, a situation they described as a form of marginalization that has contributed to the state’s underdevelopment.
“It is no longer news that since 1999, no true indigene of Lagos has governed the state—except one. This marginalization underscores the erosion of democracy and the denial of Lagosians the right to govern themselves,” the coalition said in their statement.
The youth group went on to suggest that Seyi Tinubu should consider seeking political office in Osun State, where his father, President Bola Tinubu, reportedly hails from, or in Imo State, where CONYL issued its endorsement.
“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 also interested in benefiting from his experience, they can push him to succeed Governor Uzodinma,” they added.
The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths also expressed concerns about what they described as “the growing attempts by non-indigenes to infiltrate the traditional leadership of Lagos.”
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They claimed that some political aspirants were seeking endorsements from traditional rulers despite not being true indigenes of the state.
In a strongly worded message, the coalition warned that it would “fight dirty” if the Oba of Lagos endorsed anyone who was not considered an indigene.
“We are ready to take all necessary steps to defend the rights of Lagos indigenes and ensure that the leadership of the state remains in the hands of those who truly understand the needs and aspirations of our people,” the statement added.
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