•Tinubu (right) and son, Seyi
A coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths today vowed to oppose any attempts by non-indigenes to contest the governorship election in Lagos State in 2027.
In a statement signed by its president, Abdul Kareem Whyte, the group insisted that faceless individuals would not be allowed to deprive Lagos State indigenes of their right to govern themselves.
The reaction followed an endorsement by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL) of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as the preferred candidate for Lagos governor in 2027 at a meeting held in Owerri, Imo State, reports Vanguard.
Whyte, rejecting the endorsement, declared that there is “no vacancy for non-indigenes as governor in 2027.”
“Our attention has been drawn to the recent endorsement of Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor by a group known as the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), described as the umbrella body of youth groups from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones,” he said.
“While Mr. Seyi Tinubu, as a Nigerian, has democratic rights, we condemn this ill-fated endorsement. It is anti-democratic and a deliberate move by faceless individuals to deny Lagos State indigenes the right to govern themselves in 2027.”
Whyte further lamented the marginalization of Lagos indigenes in the state’s leadership since 1999, noting that only one true Lagos indigene has held the governorship position during this period.
“The marginalisation of indigenes has led to the underdevelopment of our state. Our hinterlands remain undeveloped, roads are in poor condition, Lagos State is burdened with debt, and our traditional systems have been distorted by successive governments.”
Addressing the endorsement, Whyte suggested alternative avenues for Seyi Tinubu to exercise his political aspirations.
“There will soon be a vacancy in Osun State, where Mr. Seyi Tinubu can exercise his democratic rights unhindered. If the people of Owerri in Imo State are impressed by his experience, they can push him to succeed Governor Uzodinma.”
He also criticised certain aspirants for suddenly tracing their ancestry to Lagos State ahead of the 2027 election.
“Recently, one aspirant traced his roots to Ojo Local Government after years in power without identifying with the Awori people. We call on the Oba of Lagos to beware of individuals seeking Lagos indigene status solely for political purposes.”
The group vowed to resist any moves by non-indigenes to manipulate traditional institutions for endorsements and warned of “dirty fights” should such attempts persist.
They urged the leadership of CONYL to redirect its focus toward advocating for good governance and policies beneficial to Nigerian youth, rather than stoking political crises in Lagos State.
