Youth members of the End Bad Governance Movement and the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens in Osun State have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the Minister of Youth to safeguard the upcoming National Youth Confab from political influence
This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Adelaja Raphael and made available to Newsmen on Friday.
According to the statement, their concerns stem from the sudden removal of a grassroots representative originally selected to attend the Confab, only to be replaced by a political office holder and party loyalist from Osun State.
The group said the development has triggered widespread discontent among youth stakeholders, who view it as a betrayal of the spirit and purpose of the national engagement.
Part of the statement reads, “Comrade Owolabi Hassan Olanrewaju, popularly known as Tobest Aluta, a leading human rights activist and key figure in the “End Bad Governance” protests, emphasized that the Confab was envisioned as a platform for young people especially those at the forefront of advocacy and civic action to engage meaningfully with government structures.
“It will be recalled that following the series of nationwide protests, President Tinubu committed to organizing a National Youth Confab through the Ministry of Youth to enable direct dialogue with young Nigerians. However, the recent decision by the Osun State Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Hon. Olagunju, to substitute a legitimate youth voice with a political appointee contradicts the very essence of that promise.
“The coalition is now calling on President Tinubu, Governor Adeleke, and the Minister of Youth to urgently intervene and ensure fairness, transparency, and true representation in delegate selection from Osun State. According to them, allowing political manipulation to taint such a crucial initiative would erode public trust and undermine the credibility of the Confab.
“Osun youth reaffirm their unwavering commitment to inclusive governance, urging all stakeholders to prioritize sincerity over partisanship in the national conversation. They insist that youth representation must reflect real voices from the grassroots not political interests.”