Stakeholders, political leaders, policymakers and emerging political actors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have called for greater participation of youths and women in politics.
This was as they urged youths and women to move beyond tokenism to becoming active contributors to policy formulation, leadership and national development.
The call was made on Monday at the commencement of the two-day 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit, held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Agodi GRA, Ibadan.
The summit was themed “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, and Mobilising Emerging Leaders For 2027.”
Clarion call by stakeholders for greater youths and women political participation
Convened by Mr Wale Ajani, the summit will come to an end on Tuesday with a roadshow taking off from the National Museum, Aleshinloye, Ibadan.
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 elections.
In his welcome address, Ajani said the summit was borne out of the need to sensitise the younger generation to the importance of collaboration, engagement and active participation in political activities.
He stressed the need for youths to participate in politics peacefully and responsibly rather than allowing themselves to be used for violent activities.
Ajani also acknowledged the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, whom he said encouraged him to host the summit in Oyo State.
In her presentation, an AI governance leader, researcher and institution builder, Dr. Success Ojo, lamented the “back-bench” role often assigned to women and young people in politics.
Ojo said youths and women should aspire to benefit from more than rice, stipends and other short-term incentives offered by politicians.
The US-based ICT expert urged them to take advantage of digital advancement and artificial intelligence to improve their lives.
She encouraged participants to acquire training in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies that could help them develop new skills, become more creative and productive for sustainable opportunities.
According to Dr Ojo, young people should not remain dependent on stipends from politicians for survival, but rather build their capacity to contribute meaningfully to the society and the political process.
APC Women Leader (Oyo State), Dr Felicia Opatunde, advised: “Women must no longer be content to occupy the audience; they must be at the table where decisions are made.”
Representing Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Mr. Abdulraheem Adebayo said the agency had experienced tremendous growth in revenue generation under the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Adebayo urged youths to become actively involved in politics, saying their participation would help drive policies capable of making the country a better place.
He said young people should regard political participation as an opportunity to influence policies, provide solutions and contribute to national development rather than merely seeking personal benefits.
Also speaking, former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Ashimiyu Alarape, urged emerging political leaders to adequately prepare themselves for the responsibilities ahead.
He advised young political actors to educate themselves, remain proactive and develop the capacity required to provide effective leadership, while cautioning them against desperation.
Alarape noted that political opportunities would come at the appropriate time, stressing that “politics is turn by turn.”
He urged emerging leaders to remain patient while building their political capacity.
Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Olalekan Glory, said the party remained committed to supporting young candidates and ensuring their success at the polls.
He maintained that the APC was protecting and supporting candidates who represent the youth, 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 youths to reject such narratives and instead become proactive participants in the political process.
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 at the summit 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 was expected to strengthen collaboration among emerging political actors while equipping youths and women with the knowledge, networks and strategies required for greater political participation and effective leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
