Political stakeholders in Oyo State have urged youths and women to take a more active role in governance and decision-making as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The call was made on Monday, August 24, at the opening of the 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Agodi GRA.

The two-day summit, themed “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, and Mobilizing Emerging Leaders for 2027,” brought together policymakers, party leaders, young politicians and grassroots stakeholders to deliberate on leadership development, political participation, unity and strategic mobilisation.

Convened by Hon. Wale Ajani, the summit provided an avenue for emerging political leaders to examine the challenges facing youths and women in politics while exploring opportunities for greater participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ajani said the initiative was aimed at equipping a new generation of political actors with the knowledge, skills and networks required for responsible political participation and leadership.

He urged youths to reject political violence and the practice of being used as instruments of unrest, encouraging them instead to develop the capacity to influence political decisions and contribute meaningfully to society.

Ajani also acknowledged the support of the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, whom he credited with encouraging the organisation of the summit in Oyo State.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Success Ojo, an AI governance leader, researcher and institution builder, challenged women and youths to move beyond the “back-bench” role traditionally assigned to them in politics.

Ojo advised participants to look beyond immediate material gains such as stipends and food items, stressing the importance of knowledge, capacity building and long-term positioning for leadership.

She also encouraged young people to embrace artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, noting that digital skills could create new opportunities and enable youths to become creators, innovators and problem-solvers.

Representing Adedeji, Mr. Abdulraheem Adebayo stressed the importance of youth participation in public policy and national development. He urged young Nigerians to view politics as a platform for influencing decisions, promoting solutions and contributing to societal development.

Former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Ashimiyu Alarape, urged emerging political leaders to prepare themselves for future responsibilities.

Alarape advised young politicians to remain patient, educate themselves and develop the competence needed for effective leadership, warning against desperation in the pursuit of political office.

He emphasised the importance of preparation and timing, noting that political opportunities would come at the right time.

The Oyo State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Olalekan Glory, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to supporting youths seeking political representation.

He urged young people to reject the perception that their primary role in politics is limited to mobilisation and violence, stressing that they should become active stakeholders in shaping governance.

Similarly, the APC Oyo State Women Leader, Dr. Felicia Opatunde, called for deliberate measures to increase women’s representation in political decision-making.

She urged women to move beyond passive participation and seek positions where policies and decisions affecting society are made.

The summit featured panel discussions, networking sessions and strategic workshops focused on grassroots mobilisation, political engagement, party unity and leadership development.

It attracted political stakeholders, representatives of public institutions, young political actors and grassroots leaders from across Oyo State, including Alhaja Tawa Alli, wife of the Oyo State APC governorship candidate.

The summit is expected to continue on Tuesday with a rally walk at the Aleshinloye Museum in Ibadan as organisers seek to deepen engagement and strengthen collaboration among emerging political leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.