2027: APC chieftain knocks Joe Igbokwe over comments on Seyi Tinubu

Comments by Joe Igbokwe, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain condemning the endorsement of Seyi Tinubu as the next Lagos state Governor have generated a lot of reactions across the country, especially from the APC.

Igbokwe has taken to his Facebook page to say that ruling Lagos was not a job for the boys, stating that the call was a distraction aimed at pulling President Bola Tinubu down.

Since he made that comment, there have been several condemnations of his position, the latest is the statement issued and signed by an APC chieftain and former Deputy Campaign Manager for Obi/Datti in the 2023 election, Comrade Isaac Balami.

Balami said he is mobilising his supporters and groups across the country and in Lagos to come all out in support of Seyi Tinubu who he believes that his ability will further reposition Lagos state.

According to him, “if Seyi Tinubu agrees to run in the next Lagos governorship election, I will come all out with my army of youths supporters to support him because as a young man I had suffered serious blow in the past years because they saw that I was young and ambitious. This is the time to change the practice of gerontocracy for the good of Lagosions,” he said.

According to Balami, despite his respect for Igbokwe whom he had known to be a youth advocate, his position on this matter is archaic. It does 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 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. 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 as 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’s 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 a better chance of running Lagos 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 was granted the same right as Lagos citizens despite his Southeast 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.

“My group and I are ready to mobilize support for Seyi Tinubu should he decide to accept his endorsement by the various groups. We will do this to change the notion that the Lagos State governorship seat is reserved for a certain age.

“Our interest in Seyi Tinubu is not only because he is a young man with the energy to deliver good governance to Lagosians, but it is also because of the leadership he has provided in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of different companies.

“Empowering young people through his foundation and lifting dashed hopes amid tough times show he is a man in touch with the reality of the ordinary people. 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 added.

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