“Youths Lokan” Movement Grows as KWAM1’s Daughter Joins Lagos Assembly Race

Damilola Ayomide Ayinde-Marshal, daughter of Fuji music star King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1), has formally declared her intention to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat representing Surulere Constituency II under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawyer and political aide, who currently serves as Senior Special Assistant on Tourism to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the declaration ahead of the party’s screening exercise, which she described as a key step in assessing the competence and readiness of aspirants seeking elective office.

She said the screening process provides a platform for the party to engage aspirants directly and evaluate their preparedness to represent their constituencies effectively at the Lagos State House of Assembly. Damilola expressed confidence in her chances, saying she remains hopeful of securing the APC ticket as the party progresses with its internal selection process.

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According to her, her political ambition is rooted in sustained grassroots engagement across Surulere Constituency II, where she has held consultations with residents, particularly youths, before officially joining the race. She explained that her decision to run was influenced by her close connection with the community and her desire to contribute to development through legislative representation.

Damilola emphasized the importance of youth inclusion in politics, arguing that young people are often wrongly perceived as unserious or incapable of leadership. She maintained that the younger generation has the capacity to contribute meaningfully to governance, given their understanding of both traditional systems and modern societal realities.

She also reiterated that youths are increasingly ready to take up leadership roles, urging political parties to provide more opportunities for young aspirants seeking elective positions. According to her, the popular phrase “youths lokan” reflects the growing determination of young people to actively participate in governance and political leadership.

While expressing optimism, she stated that she would respect whatever decision the APC eventually takes regarding the party ticket, stressing the importance of loyalty to internal party processes and outcomes.

Damilola is expected to continue her consultations and political engagements ahead of the APC primaries for the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly elections, where she will be seeking the party’s nomination for Surulere Constituency II.

KWAM1’s Daughter, Damilola Ayomide at the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening exercise ahead of the 2027 elections seeking to represent Surulere Constituency Il at the Lagos House of Assembly

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“Youths Lokan” Movement Grows as KWAM1’s Daughter Joins Lagos Assembly Race

Arewa Youths Allege Plot to Destabilise APC, Block Tinubu’s Re-Election

Northern youths under the umbrella of the Arewa Youth Assembly have alleged that there are ongoing plots to trigger internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a move aimed at weakening President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group made the allegation during a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, where it claimed that recent tensions within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) were part of wider efforts to destabilise the ruling party and frustrate Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term in office.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the Coordinator of the assembly, Mohammed Aliyu Sanni, alleged that certain political actors were attempting to recreate the type of internal divisions that affected the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 elections.

According to Sanni, the crisis that contributed to Jonathan’s electoral defeat began with divisions within the Nigeria Governors’ Forum led at the time by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The group specifically accused some governors of allegedly trying to undermine the leadership of the Progressive Governors Forum currently chaired by Hope Uzodimma.

Sanni claimed that because efforts to allegedly pressure Uzodimma failed, attention shifted to Dapo Abiodun, whom he accused of working with other governors to initiate moves capable of destabilising the forum and weakening support for President Tinubu.

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The Arewa Youth Assembly also mentioned Peter Mbah among those it alleged were involved in political alignments against the APC leadership structure, though no evidence was publicly presented during the briefing.

According to the group, some governors allegedly attempted to announce the removal of Uzodimma as PGF chairman but were resisted by the majority of governors within the forum.

The youths further argued that support from northern governors for Uzodimma reflects a commitment to the existing power rotation understanding within the APC, which they say supports Tinubu completing two terms before power returns to the North in 2031.

The group also alleged the existence of “moles” within the APC who are dissatisfied with the Tinubu administration and are allegedly working against the President from within the party.

Drawing parallels with the internal crisis that affected the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sanni referenced the political role played by Nyesom Wike during disputes within the opposition party.

“In short, they want to play the Nyesom Wike card by weakening the internal mechanism of the APC the same way Wike did against the PDP,” he alleged.

The group subsequently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to those allegedly involved in the supposed plot, demanding an apology to President Tinubu, the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Uzodimma, and the APC leadership.

It warned that failure to comply could trigger nationwide mobilisation of youths against the individuals accused of participating in the alleged “aborted palace coup.”

Political analysts, however, note that internal alignments, consultations, and strategic positioning have already begun quietly within major political parties ahead of the 2027 elections, despite official campaigns still being far away.

Observers also caution that allegations of internal sabotage and factional rivalry are common during periods of political succession planning and party restructuring in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the APC leadership nor the governors mentioned in the allegations had officially responded to the claims made by the Arewa Youth Assembly.

Arewa Youths Allege Plot to Destabilise APC, Block Tinubu’s Re-Election

Fubara Walks Out of APC Screening, Declines to Speak With Journalists

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday reportedly walked out of the screening exercise organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC), refusing to address journalists covering the event.

Eyewitnesses said the governor arrived at the venue amid tight security and held brief consultations with party officials before leaving abruptly without granting interviews to members of the press.

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The development has sparked fresh speculation over the political situation in Rivers State and Fubara’s relationship with key stakeholders within the ruling party. Party sources, however, declined to comment officially on the reason behind his sudden exit from the screening venue.

Journalists stationed at the premises made several attempts to obtain comments from the governor and APC officials, but none was forthcoming as security personnel escorted him out of the venue.

The incident comes amid ongoing political realignments and consultations ahead of future electoral activities within the state and across the country.

Fubara Walks Out of APC Screening, Declines to Speak With Journalists