Oyo 2027: Stakeholders Challenge Youths, Women to Move from Political Mobilisation to Decision-Making
By Foresight Media
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, political stakeholders in Oyo State have challenged youths and women to abandon the sidelines and aggressively position themselves for leadership, policy influence and decision-making.
The charge came at the 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Agodi GRA.
Convened by Hon. Wale Ajani, the two-day summit, themed “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, and Mobilising Emerging Leaders for 2027,” brought together political actors, emerging leaders and representatives of institutions to discuss the future of political participation in Oyo State.
‘Rice and Stipends Cannot Be the Destination’ — Ojo
AI governance expert, Dr. Success Ojo, challenged young people and women to reject a political culture that confines them to receiving temporary benefits while others occupy positions of power.
She argued that political participation should go beyond collecting food items, stipends and other short-lived incentives, stressing that youths and women must deliberately build the competence and capacity required to influence political outcomes.
Ojo also encouraged participants to exploit digital technology and artificial intelligence as tools for skills development, economic empowerment and greater civic participation.
She said young people must move from dependency to productivity and from political spectatorship to meaningful participation in the political process.
Adebayo: Youths Must See Politics as a Tool for Change
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Mr. Abdulraheem Adebayo urged youths to reconsider their perception of politics.
He said politics should not be viewed principally as a route to personal enrichment but as an opportunity to shape policies and influence decisions that affect society.
According to him, greater youth involvement would bring fresh perspectives and help drive policies capable of producing meaningful national transformation.
‘Your Turn Will Come—But Prepare for It’ — Alarape
Former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Asimiyu Alarape, reminded emerging leaders that political opportunities are often a matter of timing.
He urged aspiring politicians to use the waiting period to acquire knowledge, develop competence and prepare themselves for leadership.
His message was simple: political opportunities may be rotational, but only those who are prepared can maximise their moment when it arrives.
APC Youth Leader: Young People Can Do More
Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Olalekan Glory, pledged support for young people aspiring to elective office.
Glory expressed confidence in the party’s chances ahead of 2027 while urging youths to reject the notion that their relevance in politics ends with rallies, mobilisation and other campaign activities.
He encouraged them to become political stakeholders in their own right by contributing ideas, taking up leadership responsibilities and engaging directly with issues affecting their communities.
Opatunde: Women Cannot Remain in the Audience
The Oyo State APC Women Leader, Dr. Felicia Opatunde, equally demanded a stronger role for women in political decision-making.
She urged women to move beyond supporting political structures from the background and actively pursue positions where they can influence policies and decisions.
Her intervention reinforced the summit’s broader message that women should not merely be present in political spaces; they must also have influence over the decisions taken within those spaces.
Ajani: We Are Preparing the Leaders of Tomorrow
The summit’s convener, Hon. Wale Ajani, said the initiative was conceived to prepare emerging political leaders for responsible participation in the 2027 electoral cycle and beyond.
He said the programme was designed to encourage political collaboration, strengthen awareness, promote peaceful participation and create opportunities for emerging leaders to connect and exchange ideas.
Ajani also recognised Dr. Zacch Adedeji for encouraging the organisation of the summit in Oyo State.
Discussions at the event covered grassroots mobilisation, political party unity, leadership development and strategic engagement, with panel discussions, workshops and networking sessions forming major components of the programme.
Alhaja Tawa Alli, wife of the Oyo State APC governorship candidate, representatives of public institutions, political stakeholders and emerging leaders from across the state were among those who attended.
The Real Question Is Who Will Be at the Table in 2027?
Beyond the speeches and networking, the summit delivered a broader political message: the next generation cannot afford to remain mere foot soldiers in a political system where decisions are made by others.
As Oyo State moves toward the 2027 elections, stakeholders are increasingly calling for youths and women to occupy more consequential roles—not only during campaigns, but in the rooms where policies are formulated, decisions are taken and the future of governance is determined.