Youth group slams Remi Tinubu over Okowa endorsement

The Youth Consultative Forum of the All Progressive Congress (YCFAPC) has raised serious objections to the public comments and innuendos by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu alluding to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as a former senator aspiring to be re-elected for the Delta North senatorial zone come 2027.

The first lady had, while inaugurating the Tinubu Torchbearers on Wednesday in Abuja, made a veiled reference to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as a former senator seeking re-election to become a ranking senator, even when, according to the forum, the actual winner of the Delta North APC primaries is yet to be determined by the national leadership of the APC.

The two contenders in the Delta North Senatorial primary election are Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko.

Reacting to her remarks, in a statement in Abuja and made available to newsmen in Asaba on Friday, the National President of the forum, Comrade Emeka Okechukwu, took a swipe at Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s outburst, saying, “We strongly and unequivocally condemn the remarks reportedly made by the first lady concerning Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to the group, the choice of words attributed to her fell short of the neutrality, fairness and statesmanship expected of a national figure who represents all Nigerians irrespective of religious persuasion, tribal sentiments or political affiliation.

The forum maintained that the first lady’s statement unfortunately created the impression that she has openly endorsed Dr Okowa, adding that Senator Tinubu’s public outburst had not only infuriated a critical segment of APC youths but also raised serious concerns among party members and stakeholders who believe that all aspirants and political actors should be treated fairly and without bias. 

The Forum therefore respectfully urged the first lady and all leaders of the APC to remain impartial and avoid comments capable of deepening divisions within the party.

According to the APC youths, “Democracy thrives on fairness, equity and the free choice of the people, not on perceived endorsements from influential public officials.”

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The group reiterated nominating Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as the party’s candidate would be a grave political miscalculation and suicidal for the party, adding that many grassroots supporters had become weary of Dr Okowa’s political dominance and influence over the years.

The group affirmed that it has no intention of working against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but, however, made it abundantly clear that ignoring the genuine concerns of the party members could have serious electoral consequences. 

It further posited that if the party insists on repeating what many consider a costly mistake, the party risks alienating a significant segment of its strong support base even as it cautioned that the voices of the people must not only be heard and respected but also reflected in the party’s decisions. 

The group maintained that anything short of that would undermine confidence in the democratic process and the future of the party in Delta North.