…inaugurates 5,042 polling unit marshals

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

A political support group, the Yayi Youth Vanguard, has pledged to mobilise more than 400,000 votes for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, in support of his 2027 Ogun State governorship ambition.

The group made the commitment during the inauguration of its Polling Unit Marshals across the state’s 5,042 polling units, held alongside a youth sensitisation programme in Ijebu-Ode.

Speaking at the programme, the Convener of the Yayi Youth Vanguard and Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, Olamide Lawal, said the initiative was designed to deepen youth participation in politics while strengthening grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, each polling unit marshal has been mandated to mobilise at least 75 young voters through sustained grassroots sensitisation, advocacy and community engagement in support of Senator Adeola.

“Each polling unit marshal has been given the responsibility of mobilising no fewer than 75 young voters through grassroots sensitisation, mobilisation and advocacy. Our goal is to build a strong youth-driven movement that will deliver over 400,000 votes for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola,” Lawal said.

He explained that the Yayi Youth Vanguard was established to encourage greater youth participation in governance and leadership, stressing that the future of Ogun State depends on preparing young people to compete effectively in an era driven by artificial intelligence and technological innovation.

“Young people must see political participation as a civic responsibility. They should be actively involved in shaping the future of Ogun State and Nigeria because the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow require visionary and technologically driven leadership,” he added.

Also speaking, a political stakeholder, Otunba Bankole Olugbile, urged political leaders who would emerge from the 2027 general elections to accord greater priority to youth inclusion in governance.

“Young people make up the largest segment of Nigeria’s population. They deserve increased representation in leadership and should be given opportunities to contribute meaningfully to governance and development,” Olugbile said.

Representing the State Coordinator of the Yayi Youth Vanguard, Comrade Ojo Emmanuel, the Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman of Ijebu North East Local Government on Youth and Sports, Comrade Otubanjo Olalekan, called on youths to identify with progressive leadership and prepare themselves for positions of responsibility.

“This is the time for young people to organise, participate actively in the political process and equip themselves for future leadership roles,” he said.

Similarly, the Councillor representing Ward 1 in Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Hakeem Idowu, appealed to youths to support Senator Adeola’s governorship aspiration, expressing confidence that his administration would expand opportunities for youth empowerment and development.

The APC Women Leader in Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Mrs. Ajayi Olusola, also appealed to Senator Adeola to prioritise women and youth inclusion in governance if elected.

She commended the State Governor Dapo Abiodun for promoting gender inclusion in his administration, urging political leaders to sustain policies that encourage wider participation of women and young people in public service.