Youth minister backs Seyi Tinubu to lead Lagos as governor

The Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has expressed support for Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, stating that he is well-qualified to govern Lagos State.

In a recent appearance on the Mic On podcast, Olawande addressed the growing rumours surrounding Seyi’s potential run for governor in 2027, affirming that he is more than capable.

“He’s not too young to become a governor,” the minister stated.

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According to him, Seyi is a well-trained and committed individual with a proven track record of helping young people long before his father became president.

While rumours about Seyi’s candidacy began circulating in 2024, particularly after the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL) and other groups endorsed him for the governorship, Olawande clarified that Seyi is not directly involved in the campaign.

“Seyi is not the one engineering the campaign to become the next governor of Lagos State,” he added.

2027: Anti-Tinubu coalition seeks backing of Obasanjo, Gowon, others

A former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, is spearheading efforts to rally support from southern political bigwigs in a bid to form a national coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources reveal that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, are among the influential figures backing the initiative.

Punch reports that Shekarau, the leader of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), has been in discussions with political leaders from the South-West, South-East, and South-South to build a broad-based coalition.

Dr Umar Ardo, the Convener of LND, announced the group’s intent to evolve into a political party, which would provide a credible alternative to Nigeria’s current political landscape.

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Obasanjo, who met with Shekarau and his delegation in October 2024, suggested that the LND should consider adopting a more inclusive name, the National League of Democrats, to reflect the group’s aspirations for a nationwide reach.

He expressed his willingness to serve as a patron for the group. Gowon also endorsed this vision, advising the group to make its platform more inclusive by incorporating southern politicians.

While the LND has not yet registered as a political party, discussions with southern leaders are ongoing. Notable politicians from the South-East, South-West, and South-South have reportedly shown interest in joining the movement if it becomes a national platform.

The LND’s efforts come at a time when opposition leaders are aligning to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

2027: Anti-Tinubu coalition seeks backing of Obasanjo, Gowon, others

APC: Ex-lawmakers want 2026 gov ticket zoned to Osun West

Agitations for zoning of governorship ticket to Osun West Senatorial District is gaining momentum everyday as former members of the State House of Assembly from the zone, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the weekend, called for equity, justice, and fairness in the distribution of the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.

In a communiqué issued after their meeting on January 9, 2025, in Osogbo, signed by Hon. Ajibola Akinloye (Ola Oluwa), who served as Secretary, along with other notable former legislators, including Hon. Debo Akanbi (Ede North), Hon. Yemi Taiwo (Ayedaade), Hon. Abiodun Awolola (Egbedore), and Hon. Bayo Olodo (Ayedaade), among others, and made available to our correspondent at the weekend, the forum demanded zoning of the ticket to their district.

The forum expressed unwavering loyalty to the APC and its leader, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, maintaining that there is the need for equitable representation in the party’s decision-making processes.

They specifically urged the party to zone the 2026 governorship ticket to Osun West Senatorial District, noting that since 1999, the APC had not awarded the ticket to their district, unlike the other two senatorial zones.

“This imbalance raises issues of equity and justice. It is time for Osun West to feel a sense of belonging within the Progressive Party,” they said.

They noted that their request was subject to the decision of Oyetola, whom they acknowledged as having the ‘right of first refusal’ for the APC governorship ticket.

They also called for the immediate resumption of grassroots political activities to strengthen the party’s base and ensure a successful campaign against the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2026.

The former lawmakers expressed their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fiscal reforms, economic revival, and social welfare programs, describing these initiatives as critical to national development.

APC: Ex-lawmakers want 2026 gov ticket zoned to Osun West