The Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths has voiced strong opposition to the endorsement of Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the Lagos State governorship race in 2027.
The group, under the leadership of its President, Abdul Kareem Whyte, stated that Lagos indigenes would not accept a non-indigene occupying the Alausa Government House.
This declaration was made in a press release signed by Whyte and made available to journalists on Thursday. The coalition criticized the endorsement as a misguided move, citing the marginalization and underdevelopment suffered by Lagos indigenes as reasons to oppose such ambitions.
“It’s high time those promoting the governorship ambition of a non-indigene abandoned the idea,” the coalition stated. “The marginalization has become unbearable, leaving Lagos State in a state of underdevelopment. We cannot accept this anymore.”
The endorsement in question was announced by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), a nationwide umbrella body for youth groups, during a meeting held in Owerri, Imo State. The group had publicly declared Seyi Tinubu as its choice for Lagos governor in 2027.
While acknowledging Seyi Tinubu’s democratic right to contest any political office, the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths condemned the endorsement, describing it as “ill-fated, anti-democracy, and a calculated attempt to deny Lagos indigenes their rightful place in governance.”
“Our attention has been drawn to the endorsement of Seyi Tinubu by a group known as CONYL, which claims to represent youth groups from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. While Mr. Seyi Tinubu has every right as a Nigerian to aspire for any office, this endorsement is unacceptable. It undermines the rights of true Lagos indigenes to govern their own state,” the coalition said in its statement.
The group lamented the continued marginalization of Lagos indigenes in the state’s leadership, noting that, since 1999, only one “true blood indigene” has governed Lagos.
“Our hinterlands remain underdeveloped, roads are in deplorable conditions, Lagos State is riddled with debts, and our traditional institutions have been undermined by successive governments,” the statement read.
In a pointed remark, the coalition suggested that Seyi Tinubu should consider running in other states, including Osun and Imo, where his leadership ambitions might be better received.
“If the people of Owerri in Imo State are impressed with his experience, they can push for him to succeed Governor Uzodinma. For us, however, there is no vacancy for non-indigenes in Lagos State come 2027,” the group declared.
The coalition also alleged attempts by non-indigenes to secure endorsements from Lagos traditional rulers. It accused one aspirant of suddenly tracing his ancestry to Ojo Local Government after years in power without acknowledging the Awori people of Lagos.
The group called on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, to remain vigilant against such attempts, urging him to reject those seeking to claim Lagos indigeneship for political gains.
“Oba Rilwan Akiolu must be cautious of individuals seeking to gain Lagos indigeneship as a strategy for 2027. We also advise CONYL to channel its energy into advocating for policies that genuinely benefit the youth, rather than stirring political unrest in Lagos,” the coalition concluded.
