Ambo
The Ejigbo Youth Forum (EYF), the umbrella body of youth organisations in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State, has dissociated itself from the reported endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), describing the exercise as the action of partisan individuals.
The forum stated this in a statement issued by its President, Comrade Ajayi Wasiu, while reacting to a publication titled “Osun Poll: Youths Rally Support for Oyebamiji,” published by The Punch on Thursday.
According to the forum, the individuals who addressed the press conference under the name Ejigbo Youth Stakeholders were known APC members and did not represent the collective interest of youths in Ejigbo Local Government.
The forum alleged that those involved included members of the AMBO Campaign Council, APC local government officials and other party loyalists who attended the event in APC-branded attire. It also claimed that the press conference was held at the residence of an APC chieftain in the area.
EYF maintained that it was neither consulted nor involved in the rally, press conference or endorsement and stressed that the position expressed by the group should not be interpreted as the official stand of Ejigbo youths.
The body described the attempt by the APC members to speak on behalf of all youths in the local government as misleading, divisive and capable of creating a false impression that the youth constituency had adopted a common political position.
It noted that Ejigbo youths comprise people with different political affiliations, beliefs and aspirations, insisting that no individual or political group has the mandate to appropriate the collective voice of youths in the area for partisan purposes.
The forum identified recognised youth bodies under its umbrella to include the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ejigbo Muslim Youth Forum (EMYF) and the Ejigbo Local Government Area Students’ Association (ELGASA), among others.
EYF also highlighted some of its contributions to community development, including advocacy for fuel pump price regulation, the renovation of the Ejigbo Town Hall, the reopening and renovation of the Ejigbo City Stadium, and campaigns that contributed to the restoration of electricity supply to the community.
While affirming the constitutional right of individuals and political groups to campaign for candidates of their choice, the forum rejected what it described as the misrepresentation of partisan activities as the collective decision of Ejigbo youths.
The body reiterated its commitment to remaining non-partisan and pledged to continue promoting youth development, civic engagement and peaceful coexistence in the local government.
It also urged youths to conduct themselves peacefully during the August 15 governorship election, participate responsibly in the electoral process and vote according to their conscience.
The forum further called on politicians and their supporters to stop dragging recognised youth organisations into partisan activities without their consent, stressing that the integrity and independence of youth institutions must be protected.