Makinde’s Nomination of Afeez Tijani, Others Shows Commitment to Youth Governance – GSM Advocates

A foremost social-political group in Oyo State, GSM Advocates, has commended Governor Seyi Makinde for what it described as his bold and deliberate decision to entrust leadership at the grassroots to young people, citing the nomination of Hon. Afeez Tijani as the APM Chairmanship Candidate for Oriire Local Government.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, through her deputy director, Bashorun Saintabey , the group said the governor’s choice reflects a clear commitment to youth inclusion and a long-term plan to reposition governance across the 33 local governments in the state.

GSM Advocates noted that the emergence of Hon. Tijani and several other young chairmanship candidates under the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Ibadan and across the state is not accidental.

“This is a pure love for the youth in Oyo State. It also shows that the leadership of our dear state is in the hands of young minds. Virtually all chairmanship candidates of APM in Ibadan are less than 50 years. We even have a chairmanship candidate who is in his 30s among them. It shows Governor Seyi Makinde truly values the youth demography,” the statement read.

The group argued that by giving young people the ticket to lead at the local government level, the Makinde administration is building a pipeline of future leaders who understand contemporary challenges and can connect directly with the people.

The group also applauded the governor for recognizing capacity within the movement, with specific mention of the Director General of GSM Advocates.

According to the statement, the DG, who currently serves as Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, has been promoted to contest a federal seat in the election scheduled for February next year.

“That recognition shows that performance and loyalty are being rewarded. It also shows that Governor Makinde is deliberate about grooming leaders from the grassroots to the national stage,” the group added.

GSM Advocates further noted that the youth focus is not limited to the executive arm at the local level. The group said the Oyo State House of Assembly under the current administration also reflects a generational shift.

It attributed this to constituency leaders who aligned with the governor’s vision by presenting young, capable candidates.

Some of the young lawmakers mentioned include: Akinleye representing Ibadan North East, Shete from Ibadan South West, Lateef Lawal of Ibarapa Central, George Olugbenga of Kajola, Salaudeen Kabeer of Saki West, and Jimoh Adisa of Oorelope and others.

“Unlike in the past where the State House of Assembly was largely seen as a home for aged persons, APM under Governor Makinde is repositioning sound politics in Oyo State. Today we have young minds with the energy and focus to drive development in their constituencies. All thanks to Governor Seyi Makinde,” the group stated.

With local government elections approaching, stakeholders say the wave of young candidates across APM signals a strategic move to mainstream youth participation in governance and service delivery at the grassroots.

For GSM Advocates, the message to political actors is simple. The people are listening, the people understand, and the people have made up their minds to support leadership that plans for tomorrow, not leadership driven only by stomach infrastructure.