A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader in Ogun State, Olasunkanmi Oyejide, popularly known as Suco, has disclosed details of his recent meeting with Seyi Tinubu and the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, describing it as a pivotal moment in his political journey.
The meeting comes weeks after Oyejide’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), signalling what he termed a transition into broader national engagement.
According to Oyejide, the interaction was initiated by the Youth Development Minister, who invited him for discussions focused on youth mobilisation in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the South-West region.
He explained that the meeting, initially planned as a private session with the minister, took an unexpected turn when Seyi Tinubu joined, leading to what he described as a frank and forward-looking conversation on youth inclusion and national development.
Oyejide said the engagement underscored a deliberate and action-driven approach to youth participation in governance, noting that both Tinubu and the minister have been actively interfacing with young Nigerians across the country to gather grassroots perspectives and shape inclusive policies.
He described Seyi Tinubu as deeply connected to grassroots realities, with a clear commitment to identifying talent, building capacity, and fostering meaningful inclusion for young people.
The former PDP youth leader further revealed that Tinubu assured that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, youths would no longer remain passive observers but active participants in governance, citing increasing youth appointments as evidence of a shift towards investing in the nation’s future.
Oyejide added that Tinubu commended Nigerian youths for their resilience and contributions to nation-building, urging them to remain patriotic and committed to national progress.
He noted that both the President’s son and the minister emphasised competence and preparedness as key criteria for accessing emerging opportunities, stressing the need for youths to position themselves for leadership roles.
Describing the encounter as both surprising and encouraging, Oyejide said Tinubu acknowledged his grassroots political efforts and urged him to remain consistent, while he also used the opportunity to relay the concerns and aspirations of Nigerian youths.
Reflecting on his recent political trajectory, Oyejide expressed gratitude for what he described as rapid progress, attributing it to preparedness and opportunity.
He also acknowledged the support of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola and other political leaders who facilitated his integration into the APC structure.
Recounting an earlier engagement, Oyejide said he travelled from Onisasa village in Abeokuta North Local Government Area to Lagos for a meeting with Senator Adeola, where discussions centred on inclusiveness within the APC.
He said the senator highlighted the party’s commitment to providing a level playing field for individuals with capacity, a leadership approach Oyejide likened to that of President Tinubu in nurturing emerging talents.
Oyejide described his journey from a grassroots background to engaging national figures as a testament to growing opportunities within the political space, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future and continued development in Ogun State.
