Give the Future a Chance: Ibarapa North APM Youths Appeal to Makinde to Choose Bisi Akande

AN OPEN APPEAL TO HIS EXCELLENCY, ENGR. SEYI MAKINDE, AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE APM ON THE CHOICE OF CHAIRMANSHIP CANDIDATE FOR IBARAPA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Your Excellency, Sir,

We humbly appeal to you, as the leader of our political family and a strong advocate of youth inclusion in governance, to kindly consider Hon. Olubisi Akande as the APM candidate for the Chairmanship position of Ibarapa North Local Government. We believe his candidacy will further demonstrate your commitment to creating opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in leadership and governance.

This appeal is also informed by the position of the majority of our leaders in Ibarapa North, who have expressed their support for Hon. Olubisi Akande as the preferred candidate for the chairmanship position. Their position reflects a collective desire for continuity, youth inclusion, energy and fresh ideas in the leadership of our local government. We therefore humbly appeal that the voice and preference of the majority of our leaders be given due consideration in arriving at the final decision.

Since 2019, Your Excellency has consistently demonstrated that age should not be a barrier to giving capable young people the opportunity to serve. Your decision to appoint the then 27-year-old Seun Fakorede as Commissioner for Youth and Sports was a landmark demonstration of confidence in the capacity of young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to government.

After the expiration of Hon. Seun Fakorede’s tenure, Your Excellency further demonstrated this commitment to youth inclusion by appointing the then 29-year-old Hon. Wasilat Adegoke as Commissioner for Youth and Sports. Her performance in office has further shown that young people, when given the opportunity and responsibility to serve, can perform excellently and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.

Similarly, the decision to give the then 33-year-old Hon. Lateef Akorede the opportunity to contest the chairmanship of Ibarapa North proved to be a decision that yielded positive results. His tenure demonstrated that when young people are given the opportunity to lead, they can bring energy, innovation and a strong connection with the people to grassroots governance.

Today, Ibarapa North is once again presented with an opportunity to make a similar progressive choice.

The current consideration is between Hon. Peter Gbadegesin Ojedokun, aged 73, and the incumbent Vice Chairman, Hon. Olubisi Akande, aged 42.

Hon. Peter Gbadegesin Ojedokun has served as a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly for two consecutive terms, representing Ibarapa North and Ibarapa Central State Constituency. In the build-up to the 2023 State House of Assembly election, Hon. Bisi Akande had purchased the nomination form to contest for the same position. However, in the interest of consensus and to allow Hon. Ojedokun to emerge as the sole consensus candidate, Hon. Akande stepped aside from the contest.

Importantly, Your Excellency, you personally refunded Hon. Bisi Akande the money he had paid for the nomination form after he stepped aside to allow Hon. Ojedokun to emerge as the consensus candidate. This was a significant gesture at the time and further demonstrated the spirit of accommodation and consensus within our political family.

That history is significant in the present circumstances. Hon. Bisi Akande has previously demonstrated his willingness to make personal political sacrifices in the interest of consensus and party unity. We therefore believe that the present opportunity provides a fair moment to reciprocate that gesture by giving him the opportunity to lead Ibarapa North Local Government.

With that arrangement now in consideration, we respectfully appeal that the opportunity to lead Ibarapa North Local Government be given to Hon. Bisi Akande.

At 42, Hon. Akande represents a new generation of leadership. As the incumbent Vice Chairman, he already has direct experience of the workings of the local government and understands the challenges and expectations of the people. He is youthful, energetic, accessible and deeply connected with the grassroots.

Beyond his political activities, Hon. Akande has also demonstrated a commitment to supporting people within his community. His youthfulness and energy position him to effectively engage young people, community leaders, traditional institutions and other stakeholders in driving development at the grassroots.

Your Excellency, the choice before us should not merely be about who has served before, but also about who can best carry the vision of our administration into the future. Ibarapa North deserves a leader who can harness the energy of our youths, engage our communities, strengthen grassroots development and provide effective leadership at the local government level.

We therefore appeal to Your Excellency and the leadership of the APM in Oyo State to kindly consider Hon. Olubisi Akande for the chairmanship ticket of Ibarapa North Local Government.

This is an opportunity to once again demonstrate that youth inclusion, merit, capacity and continuity remain central to the progressive leadership philosophy of our political family.

We respectfully trust in your wisdom, fairness and commitment to the continued development of Ibarapa North and Oyo State.

Your Excellency, we appeal: give the future a chance. Give Ibarapa North Hon. Bisi Akande.

Long live Ibarapa North Local Government.

Long live Oyo State.

Long live the APM.

Long live the people’s government.

Signed:

IBARAPA NORTH APM YOUTHS

Com. Oyasina Ibrahim

Youth Leader, Ibarapa North APM

Ward 08, Igangan