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The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths has rejected the endorsement of Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, for Lagos State Governor in 2027.
The endorsement was made by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), which represents youth groups across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The group issued the endorsement statement on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State, asserting that Seyi Tinubu is free to run for governor in either Osun or Imo State, where his family is reportedly from.
However, the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths criticized this move, arguing that non-indigenes should not be allowed to govern Lagos.
They emphasized that since 1999, no true Lagos indigene has held the position of governor, and they described the endorsement as an attempt to marginalize the state’s indigenous population.
The group further expressed concerns about the underdevelopment of Lagos and the distortion of its traditional system due to successive governments.
They also warned the Oba of Lagos to be cautious of attempts to gain endorsements from traditional rulers ahead of the 2027 election.
The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths issued a statement on Wednesday, saying, “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), and the group is described as the umbrella body of all the youth groups drawn across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
“The said Coalition sat in Owerri, Imo State, and publicly issued the statement on endorsement, while we know Mr Seyi Tinubu has his democratic rights as a Nigerian, we condemn the ill-fated endorsement and described 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.
READ: Group Endorses Tinubu’s Son, Seyi For Lagos State Governor
“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 marginalization which underscores the essence of democracy and an outright denial of the indigenes of Lagos State the right to govern themselves.
“We know as a fact that there will soon be 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 the experience Mr Seyi Tinubu has acquired in recent times, they can push him to succeed Governor Uzodinma.
“As for us there is no vacancy for non-indigenes in Lagos State in 2027. The marginalization is too much and the marginalization has led to the underdevelopment in the state.
“It’s unbelievable that since 1999, our hinterlands are not developed, no good roads, Lagos State leaving on debts and our traditional system distorted by successive governments.
“We are also aware of the moves by some non-indigenes to penetrate our traditional rulers in getting endorsements and ratifications from them.
“Recently, one of the aspirants suddenly traced his ancestry to Ojo Local Government after spending more than a decade in power without identifying with the Awori People of Ojo in Lagos State.
“We are hereby calling on the Oba of Lagos to beware of persons who will soon seek indigeneship of Lagos State because of 2027.”
According to the group, it is ready to “fight dirty if the Oba of Lagos allows such anti-Lagos indigenes move.”
“We advise the leadership of CONYL to channel their energies towards advocating for good governance and policies that will benefit the youth constituency rather than instigating political crises in Lagos State,” the statement added.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
