Political stakeholders, emerging leaders and policymakers in Oyo State have called for greater inclusion of youths and women in political leadership and decision-making ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call was made on Monday at the 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit held 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,” was convened by Hon. Wale Ajani to foster collaboration, reconciliation, strategic engagement and peaceful political participation among emerging political actors across the state.
In his welcome address, Ajani said the summit was designed to sensitise young people to the importance of active participation in politics and governance. He urged youths to reject violence and resist being used as instruments of political thuggery.
He 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, AI governance leader, researcher and institution builder, Dr. Success Ojo, criticised the continued marginalisation of youths and women in politics, describing their relegation to the “back bench” as unacceptable.
Ojo urged young people and women to look beyond temporary political incentives such as rice, stipends and other handouts, encouraging them to acquire skills that would make them economically independent and better positioned to influence governance.
She particularly encouraged participants to embrace Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies, noting that they could create new opportunities for creativity, productivity and sustainable development.
Representing the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, 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 take a more active role in politics, stressing that their participation was crucial to shaping policies, providing solutions and contributing meaningfully to national development.
Former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Ashimiyu Alarape, charged emerging political leaders to prepare themselves for future responsibilities.
Alarape advised young politicians to educate themselves, remain proactive and develop the capacity required for effective leadership. He, however, cautioned them against desperation, stressing that political opportunities would come at the appropriate time.
According to him, “politics is turn by turn.”
The Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Olalekan Glory, said the party remained committed to supporting young candidates and creating opportunities for their success in the 2027 elections.
Glory urged youths to reject the notion that their place in politics was limited to political thuggery, saying they should instead position themselves as active contributors to the political process and governance.
Also speaking, the APC Oyo State Women Leader, Dr. Felicia Opatunde, called for stronger representation of 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 focused on grassroots mobilisation, party unity, strategic political engagement and leadership development.
Those in attendance included Alhaja Tawa Alli, wife of the Oyo State APC governorship candidate, representatives of public institutions, political stakeholders and emerging leaders from across the state.
The summit is expected to continue on Tuesday with a rally walk at the Aleshinloye Museum, Ibadan, as participants seek to strengthen political collaboration and promote increased participation of youths and women ahead of the 2027 general elections.