I won’t support candidate above 52 years in 2027 guber poll, Makinde tells PDP aspirants

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, said his successor in 2027 from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) must be between the age bracket of 50 and 52 years of age.

He said he became the youngest governor in the history of Oyo State at the age of 51 and maintained that he would not support any governorship aspirant who falls outside the age bracket of 50 and 52.

Makinde gave the promise while delivering his keynote address at the maiden Edward Adebo Ogundoyin Student Legislative Summit held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan.

The governor said that the energy and determination with which he faced life made him what he is today in terms of success in the organised corporate sector and public office.

He said that youths in tertiary institutions across the South-West should engage themselves with intellectual activities that would build their capacities to be better future leaders rather than focus on things that would not add value to them.

He, however, encouraged the students participating at the summit to emulate those who had consistently advanced in their political careers in the South-West.

Makinde advocated more involvement of youths in the course of governance through active political exposure for vibrant leadership positions.

He said that in preparing the youths for the future and governance, issue of leadership is very imperative for the next generation for the country to be better off, adding that young leaders should think of bridging the vacuum.

The governor, while addressing the students’ forum, announced that he had signed all the documents for the payment of bursary award to the students, assuring them of disbursement in due course.

The convener of the event and Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, said supporting youth development is essential for national development through education, learning opportunities, mentorship and guidance and a strong belonging with community involvement.

Also, the Minister of State for Youths, Ayodele Olawande, charged the youths to maximised the opportunity they have and engage themselves actively in government to change the narratives.

In his keynote address, former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who spoke through the Special Adviser, Strategic Communication to Plateau State Governor, Dr Golus Timothy, emphasised the roles of quality legislation in nation-building.

He described it as the bedrock of modern ways of life, which includes pathways towards statehood, national growth and development.