Youths Slam APC’s Risky Pick: 70-Year-Old Chosen Over 14 Vibrant Hopefuls

I

Youths in Lagos are up in arms over what they call a tone-deaf move by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). A group under the name Concerned Youth of Yaba LCDA has rejected the nomination of 70-year-old Joseph Babatunde Ojo as the so-called consensus candidate for the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmanship seat.

They argue that the selection process lacked transparency and did not reflect the true will of party members or stakeholders. Their main grievance: the leadership handpicked a man far removed from the realities and energy of today’s youth.

In a passionate statement, Adebayo Shittu, the group’s coordinator, and Bode Oderinde, its secretary, described the announcement as not only undemocratic but deeply frustrating. “Joseph Babatunde Ojo, a 70-year-old, is being paraded as the consensus choice of the APC leadership in Yaba,” the statement read. “This shows that the leadership is insensitive to the plights and yearnings of both the older and younger generation of Yaba.”

Their message was clear: youth deserve a seat at the table—and they won’t settle for decisions made behind closed doors.

The APC leadership in Lagos had earlier called for consensus candidates across local governments in the build-up to the July 12 local government elections. But the Yaba youth group insists that such a decision, without input from the majority of stakeholders, is not consensus—it’s imposition.

“We shall ensure this does not see the light of day,” the group added, vowing to resist what they believe is a backward step for progress in their community.

They say Yaba has no shortage of young, energetic, and capable aspirants—so why revert to someone who reportedly had no interest in contesting until he was pressured by select individuals?

The youth coalition says elders in the party should encourage younger candidates to step up and lead. “Elders are supposed to be encouraging young people to seek public office for positive change,” their statement continued. “We cannot put forward a man who has lost touch with the political situation.”

They stressed that Ojo had no original plan to run and was only pulled in by a clique of power players seeking to maintain control. To them, this move is not only unfair—it’s undemocratic.

They have now called on top APC officials, including Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the party’s state chairman, and members of the powerful Governance Advisory Council, to intervene. They want the decision reversed before it fractures the party’s base and costs it the seat.

Speaking on behalf of 14 other disappointed aspirants, Ibrahim Adegbola painted a picture of a party at risk of losing touch with its future. He warned that ignoring the demands of younger members could damage the APC’s prospects at the polls.

“This time is not suitable for someone older than 50 years to aspire for the chairmanship position,” Adegbola said. “It doesn’t give a sense of responsibility to the younger generation.”

He highlighted that among the 14 aspirants vying for the ticket in Yaba, some are as young as 31. “These people should be considered because they are very energetic and vibrant,” he added.

To Adegbola and many others, youth isn’t just a matter of age—it’s about vision, connection to the people, and the drive to shape the future. “You cannot shape a future you won’t be part of,” he said firmly. “So give the youth the chance to design how they want their future to look.”

He concluded by urging the APC to get its act together before it loses not just elections—but also the faith of the next generation.

According to reports, more than 500 APC members are jostling for 57 chairmanship positions across Lagos state. But in Yaba, the fight is no longer just about who gets the ticket—it’s about who gets heard.