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Poverty, ill Governance Make Youths Tools To Politicians
….2Baba takes ‘Vote not fight’ campaign to Osun
Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi has identified poverty and ill governance as reasons youths are being used as tools by politicians.
Ogunbiyi who is Accord Party gubernatorial candidate in the July 16 Osun State Governorship Election on Tuesday said, “the reason why youths have been tools for politicians is because of poverty. Not poverty alone, it (is also) because the government has refused to do the right thing.
“When you don’t have a job. There are people who have taken up the streets. This guy had a first-class from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife but four years down the line after his service year, he was still roaming the street. So he has gone to join a religious organization.
“How can someone spend 7 years in the university and 1 in service and be dealing with people who never went to school?
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“That is because our leaders don’t venture into anything that will give them encouragement to be somebody.”
He lamented that the knowledge of Information and Communications Technology which should be beneficial has been derailed by the youths to internet fraud.
He then promised to form a women-inclusive government if voted in July 16 governorship election.
“Prosecution is a major issue and participation in politics. By the time I come in and declare the winner on the 17th of July you will see that women will have a place.
“We have women who are well accomplished and women who are well established in every facet of life. We will give them the opportunity.
Also speaking, Innocent Idiabia also known as 2baba said he wanted to encourage the people of the state to shun electoral violence, be it pre, during, or after.
This is in lieu of the Nigerian Singer’s ‘Vote Not to Fight campaign.
He said, “we have come here to encourage Osun people, youths especially to shun violence; to let them understand that when they engage in voting is actually for their own future and others. So we want to stretch this among our voters.
While responding, Dr. Ogunbiyi said ‘Vote Not to Fight’ is a very good concept and he believes in it.
“Election no bi war. I want to appeal to all politicians particularly in Ọṣùn that in this election we want to serve our people instead of killing, and we shouldn’t encourage violence in any form or sort.
“I endorse their message (of Vote Not Fight) and I think it’s something that is very good not for Osun but for entire Nigeria.”
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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