2027: Non-Indigenes, Hunters in Ogun, Youths in Kwara Pledge Support for Tinubu

James Sowole in Abeokuta and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Hunters and Non-Indigenes resident in Ogun State as well as youth group in Kwara State, weekend, pledged to vote massively for President Bola Tinubu in next year’s general election. The hunters operating under the umbrella of Ilupeju Egba Hunters Assocition, Abeokuta and Association of Non Indigenes in Ogun State, expressed their positions during a separate meetings with the convener of Pan Nigerian movement campaigning for re-election of Tinubu, “The Alternative”, Chief Segun Sowunmi. While Sowunmi met with hunters at a hall in ancient area of Itoko in Abeokuta, he held meeting with non indigenes comprising Igbo. Igede, Tiv, Igala among others at Leme area also in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. Seriki Ode of Egbaland, Chief Bamigbose Olusegun, who spoke on behalf of the hunters, assured Sowunmi that they had no doubt that Tinubu would consolidate on the good works that the All Progressive Congress (APC) administration was doing. Bamigbose said with Sowunmi, they were sure that he would carry their messages to the top. On behalf of non-indigenes, Chief Francis Nweze, urged Sowunmi to continue his support for non indigenes residing in the state. Addressing the meetings, Sowunmi described the 2027 election as an opportunity to demonstrate support for the rotation of political power to the South. Sowunmi, who emphasised his longstanding relationship with communities from different parts of Nigeria resident in Ogun, said he regarded them as part of what he described as the “Ogun tribe”—a broad identity encompassing everyone who lives, works and contributes to the development of the state. “That tribe called the Ogun tribe is the tribe that contains all of us that agree that this Ogun State is our home, our place of business, our place where we are living and doing everything we are doing,” he said. 52-Youth Coalition Backs Tinubu in 2027 Also, in Kwara State, the 52-Youth Coalition in has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election to enable him consolidate his laudable programmes for the people of the country. The coalition said Tinubu remains the only option currently available for the next year general election as none has demonstrated that they were better than him. Speaking at a press conference on the state of the nation in Ilorin, the Deputy Central Coordinator of the group, Mr. Issa Abdulgafar Arikewuyo, faulted the purported claim of the APC governors in the country that the emergence of Rainbow Coalition would affect the chances of Tinubu’s reelection. The coalition, made up of young professionals drawn from the 52 wards of Kwara Central, said it was working with similar groups in Kwara South and Kwara North to build a statewide platform focused on accountability, security, economic opportunities and democratic participation. It said its support for Tinubu at the national level did not amount to an endorsement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Kwara, adding that voters could support different political parties for different elective offices. According to the group, the arrangement was not new to Nigerian politics, citing the 1999 and 1983 elections in Kwara as examples of voters making different choices at the presidential and state levels. “Let us be clear about where the 52-Youth Coalition stands. We are supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because, among the options currently available, none has demonstrated that he is better than him.“Besides, we believe President Tinubu also deserves the time required to consolidate the policies and reforms his administration has begun. “Here in Kwara, we are working actively and deliberately to deliver victory for the candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidates for the governorship and the National Assembly. “We strongly believe Kwara needs fresh air in its leadership and governance. We cannot continue to reward a government defined by insecurity, waste, absenteeism and intolerance for accountability within its own ranks. “We, therefore, call on all Kwarans, young and old, across the 16 local government areas, to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the presidential election, and for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in the governorship and National Assembly elections in 2027,” Arikewuyo added.