Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL) has affirmed that Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is eligible, competent, well educated and experienced to become the next Governor of Lagos State come 2027.
CONYL, said this in a statement by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, copy of which was made available to newsmen on Thursday.
This is in reaction to the prediction made by the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Prelate Elijah Ayodele, wherein he said Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Gbenga Ashafa, and Seyi Tinubu should perish the thought of becoming the next governor of Lagos State.
Primate Ayodele, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, while noting that the race for who becomes the next governor of Lagos State after the current administration expires in 2027 would be tough, however, predicted that Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the incumbent Principal Secretary to President Tinubu would take over from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
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The coalition said it would not have responded to Ayodele’s prediction in the first place, but had to do so “because of the gullible public and also to put the records straight,” just as it faulted the cleric on the 2023 Presidential Poll wherein “he predicted that the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will be elected the next president of Nigeria,” but which was won by President Tinubu.
“Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, CONYL, the umbrella body of all the youth groups drawn from across the six geopolitical zones is alarmed over the false forecast by Prelate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church wherein he said Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Gbenga Ashafa, and Chief Seyi Tinubu are not eligible to become the next Governor of Lagos State but rather predicted that Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the current principal secretary to President Bola Tinubu will be the next governor of Lagos State.
“We would have ignored Prelate Ayodele’s statement but we decided to respond because of the gullible public and also to put the records straight.
‘We state categorically that, Chief Seyi Tinubu is eligible, competent, well educated, well trained and very experienced to become the next Governor of Lagos State come 2027 and Lagosians love him dearly and will elect him as their Governor,” CONYL said.
“Prelate Ayodele is known for making false predictions and Nigerians are not surprised that he is at it again. On 24 February, 2023, he predicted that the former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will be elected the next president of Nigeria, and after the election, did he win? The answer is capital No!” it added.
The coalition argued that the future of Lagos State leadership would be determined by the people’s will and democratic process, saying that it was important to allow every eligible citizen to pursue leadership roles and let the voters decide who best represents their interests.
According to CONYL, leadership is based on competence, vision, and dedication to the people, rather than predictions or speculations, pointing out that the democratic process remained the cornerstone of leadership selection in Nigeria.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria grants every eligible citizen the right to run for public office, including the office of the Governor, as long as they meet the legal requirements set forth.
“As a group that believes in the importance of individual rights and democratic values, we feel it is important to recognize that the final decision on who becomes the Governor of Lagos State rests with the electorate.
“The people’s votes should be the determining factor, and all candidates who meet the constitutional qualifications should be allowed to present themselves to the voters.
“We are confident that Lagos State, being a progressive and dynamic city, will continue to be a place where the will of the people is respected and upheld, ensuring that leadership is based on merit, vision, and the collective aspirations of the citizens.
“We, therefore, call on Lagosians to ignore the false forecast of Prelate Ayodele and support their own Chief Seyi Tinubu who is well equipped and prepared to serve the good people of Lagos State with due diligence and commitment,” the coalition stated.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE