By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
The Smart Boys Movement has joined youths across Oyo State in reaffirming its commitment to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the success of its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made during a youth stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, which brought together representatives of youth organisations and stakeholders from across the state.
READ ALSO:Ajadi Urges Oyo Youths To Join Politics Ahead Of 2027
The event was attended by prominent political and youth leaders, including the Oyo State Secretary to the State Government, the APM governorship candidate, Honourable Bimbo Adekanbi; Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, APM Oyo Central Senatorial Candidate and National Patron of the Smart Boys Movement; and Honourable Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, popularly known as OdidiOmo, the APM Oyo South Senatorial Candidate.
The Smart Boys Movement was represented at the national level by its National Executive Director, Honourable Funso Jide Adekunle, popularly known as Hon. Fushi; National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Jeremiah Atele Nunayon; National Youth Mobilisation Director, Honourable Olaoluwa Akinwande Akinsola; and South-West Youth Mobilisation Director, Honourable Oyedeji Praise.
READ ALSO:Shettima Arrives India To Represent Tinubu At BRICS Summit
Also present were the 22 Oyo State executives of the movement, led by the State Executive Director, Comrade Ayoade Waheed Lawal, as well as coordinators representing all 33 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the engagement, Hon. Fushi described the gathering as an important opportunity for young people to demonstrate their readiness to participate actively in the political process and contribute to the development of Oyo State.
“The Smart Boys Movement is committed to youth participation, responsible leadership and the advancement of the interests of young people. We are prepared to mobilise our members across Oyo State and work with other stakeholders towards a better political future,” Fushi said.
READ ALSO:Smart Boys Movement Backs Makinde’s Presidential Bid, Endorses APM Candidates Nationwide
He said the movement would continue to encourage young people to move beyond political discussions on social media and become active participants in grassroots mobilisation, community engagement and democratic processes.
According to him, the support of the Smart Boys Movement for the APM candidates is driven by its belief in building a political structure that gives young people a stronger voice and creates opportunities for meaningful participation in governance.
Fushi further called on members and coordinators of the movement across the 33 local government areas to remain united, disciplined and committed to peaceful political engagement, stressing that grassroots mobilisation would be crucial to the success of the movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Our strength is in our structure and our people. With our national, state and local government coordinators working together, we can build an effective grassroots network that will make a significant difference in the 2027 elections,” he added.
The presence of Ambassador Ajadi, who is also the National Patron of the Smart Boys Movement, further underscored the relationship between the youth organisation and the APM political structure in Oyo State.
The movement also reaffirmed its support for the APM candidates, including Bimbo Adekanbi for governor, Ajadi for Oyo Central Senatorial District, OdidiOmo for Oyo South Senatorial District and Shina Peller for Oyo North Senatorial District, while expressing support for the wider political alignment involving Seyi Makinde ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the engagement provided an avenue for youth organisations to discuss political participation, mobilisation and issues affecting young people, while strengthening collaboration between youth stakeholders and political actors in the state.
With its leadership structure spanning the national, state and local government levels, the Smart Boys Movement said it was determined to deepen its grassroots presence and mobilise its members ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation’s participation in the engagement signals an intensified effort by youth groups in Oyo State to position themselves as important stakeholders in the political process and to play a more active role in determining the state’s political direction in 2027.
