A Youth Group and the Osun State Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Moshood Olagunju have bickered over the compilation of list of State’s representatives at the upcoming National Youth Conference.
Jide Alabi, a member of youth group has alleged the Commissioner of politicizing the list. He said this in a statement obtained by InsightMedia in Osogbo on Friday.
According to Alabi, the National Confab which stemmed from last year’s #EndBadGovernance protests spearheaded by some Osun’s young human rights activists including Comrade Owolabi Hassan Tobest, Secretary of the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens (CCNC), represents a pivotal initiative for youth engagement in the country.
“Recent reports suggest plans to replace Comrade Tobest Aluta, the representative of the organizing body behind the peaceful protests in Osun State, have sparked concerns among the youth. We emphasize the importance of maintaining non-partisan representation at such dialogues.”
The youth called upon Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene and ensure that the Commissioner’s actions do not undermine the spirit of inclusivity and non-politicization intended for the Confab.
“Osun Concerned Youths however have issued the esteemed commissioner a 48-hours ultimatum to rescind the decision and select a suitable representative. Should this demand be ignored, the youth will take to the streets in a formidable protest against the commissioner for youth affairs on Monday.”
Reacting to the allegations via a phone call with InsightMedia, Olagunju described the story as fake, stating that the list has no political influence.
He said the substitution of names was informed by the directive from the Federal Ministry of Youth to ensure the list must be 50% female and 50% male representation.
“I considered no politics in the compilation of the eight representatives for Osun. We have contacted these organizations to submit names and we forwarded it to Abuja. But there was a directive from Abuja that the list must be 50:50 gender representation.
“I called this organization making the allegation and I explained to him why it is important to change him. I asked him to nominate a female from his organization but he said he has no female name to nominate. What’s my offence in that? I can’t go against the national directive. Even the Youth Council has to send a female member.”
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