Lagos 2027: Your position archaic – Balami knocks Igbokwe

A former Deputy Campaign Manager for Obi/Datti Campaign Organisation in the 2023 election, Comrade Isaac Balami has knocked a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe over his stand on the 2027 guber election in Lagos State.

Igbokwe had said ruling Lagos was not a job for the boys, stating that the call was a distraction aimed at pulling President Bola Tinubu down.

But in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Tuesday, Balami, now an APC chieftain, said despite his respect for Igbokwe whom he had known to be a youth advocate, his position on the matter was archaic and did not have a place in modern democracy “that is chiefly driven by young and innovative minds”.

The former spokesman of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, expressed shock that the controversial comment could originate from Igbokwe’s page, saying that good political actors will always stand with what they believe in, “and I had thought Igbokwe believes so much in the potential of the Nigerian youths.”

He said: “I believe that like everyone of us, he knows that the future of this great country lies in the hands of its vibrant youths. It’s therefore contradictory to say otherwise.

“There is no doubt that young people are taking over economically and politically. Historically, good governance is associated with young people who are in leadership positions.

“This is a fact Igbokwe knows and should defend because he started benefitting from politics very early in life. It was Lagos that reshaped his growth politically. This didn’t start at his current age. The opportunity created for Igbokwe helped him to have a say in Lagos politics. This is why he should leave Seyi Tinubu alone henceforth.

“How old was Yakubu Gowon when he became the nation’s head of state? At the age of 32, his achievements were unmatched. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu led Biafra at 33. Obafemi Awolowo emerged Premier of Western Nigeria only at 37.

“Peter Obi was handed the mantle as early as 46. Donald Duke did not do badly when he was Cross River State Governor. He was only 37.

“In comparison to global politics and governance, Emmanuel Macron became the French President at the age of 39. Compare France GDP of $3.31 Trillion to that of Lagos State which has a GDP of $87 Billion, and you will realize that Seyi Tinubu who will be 42 in 2027 stands the better chance of running Lagos better than anyone else.

“It remains a clear case of infringement on one’s fundamental human rights if someone who has hit the franchise age is deliberately denied the right and the opportunity to run and become the governor of Lagos state because of some campaign of calumny.

“And for the fact that the current agitation and campaign against Seyi Tinubu’s age is coming from someone who had not only benefited from the same opportunity but granted the same right as Lagos citizens despite his South East origin is quite disturbing.

“If Igbokwe could bank on age, why not also look at the pressing question of indigene and relinquish his status as a Lagosian. Using age, gender and tribe as a tool to select our leaders will frustrate leadership by competence and merit.”

Balami believes only competent and result-oriented leaders should be the focus during campaigns and not age as advocated by Igbokwe.

“I believe that Lagos and Nigeria are for the boys and not for the men.

“The men have done their best and should now step aside for innovative youths,” he said.