Political leaders, policymakers and emerging political actors in Oyo State have called for increased participation of youths and women in politics, urging them to move beyond token benefits and become active contributors to policymaking, leadership and national development.
The call was made on Monday at the 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit, which commenced 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,” is expected to continue on Tuesday with a rally walk at the National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan.
Convened by Hon. Wale Ajani, the summit brought together emerging political leaders, policymakers and grassroots stakeholders to promote strategic engagement, collaboration, reconciliation and peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his welcome address, Ajani said the summit was organised to sensitise the younger generation to the importance of political collaboration, engagement and active participation in the democratic process.
He urged youths to participate in politics peacefully and responsibly rather than allowing themselves to be used to perpetrate violence during elections.
Ajani 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, lamented what she described as the “back-bench” role often assigned to women and young people in the political space.
Ojo urged youths and women to aspire to benefit from more than rice, stipends and other short-term incentives offered by politicians, stressing the need for them to take advantage of digital advancement and artificial intelligence to improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to society.
She encouraged participants to acquire skills in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, saying such knowledge could enhance their creativity, productivity and capacity to create sustainable opportunities.
According to her, young people should not remain dependent on stipends from politicians for survival but should build their capacities to become relevant contributors to society and the political process.
Representing the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, 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 become actively involved in politics, saying their participation was essential to the formulation of policies capable of transforming the country.
He said political participation should be viewed by young people as an opportunity to influence policies, proffer solutions and contribute to national development rather than merely seeking personal benefits.
Also speaking, a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Ashimiyu Alarape, urged emerging political leaders to adequately prepare themselves for the responsibilities ahead.
Alarape advised young political actors to educate themselves, remain proactive and develop the capacity required to provide effective leadership, while cautioning them against desperation.
He noted that political opportunities would come at the appropriate time, stressing that “politics is turn by turn,” and urged emerging leaders to remain patient while building their political capacity and networks.
The Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Olalekan Glory, said the party remained committed to supporting young candidates and ensuring their success at the polls.
Glory maintained that the APC was committed to protecting and supporting candidates representing the interests of young people, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections.
He also dismissed the perception that young people were primarily being used as political thugs, urging them to reject such narratives and become proactive participants in the political process.
Similarly, the APC Oyo State Women Leader, Dr. Felicia Opatunde, called for a stronger role for 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 focusing on grassroots mobilisation, party unity, strategic political engagement and strengthening support for emerging political leaders across Oyo State.
Among those in attendance were Alhaja Tawa Alli, wife of the Oyo State APC governorship candidate; representatives of key public institutions; political stakeholders and emerging leaders from across the state.
The summit is expected to strengthen collaboration among emerging political actors while equipping youths and women with the knowledge, networks and strategies required to achieve greater political participation and effective leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
