RAFIU KAREEM, Abeokuta.
Ogun State All Progressive Congress (APC) Youth Wing has called on the governor of the state, Mr Dapo Abiodun to grant it 40 per cent of political appointments.
The APC youths made the demand while addressing journalists at the Annual General Meeting of the APC Youth Wing which held at the APC Secretariat in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Thursday.
The convener of the meeting, Rasheed Aroboto said the youth should be rewarded with political appointments following their support to the governor and the party in the last election.
Aroboto said the state had innovative and politically experienced youths to form part of the governor’s cabinet, cautioning the governor not to ignore the youths like his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
According to him, the youths remain vital components of electioneering, hence, the dividend of governance should be evenly shared with the youthful populace.
He said “The governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun just recently made it known that his administration cabinet will be shared with women of the state taking up to 50% of his cabinet members. This laudable development has since then left the youths of the state wondering in their own thoughts. Are we youths considered as an apex body of this government?, is this government actually interested in paying back the youths who stood firmly during turbulent times?, are the youths now considered as an alien, a misfit or being surplus to requirement in governance?”
“Is the Governor trying to say that “amidst millions of youths in the state, non is capable of holding pole position in his administration”. This calls for a serious scrutinization as it is an established fact that “no government can be put in place without the inclusiveness and support of the Youth populace.”
“Ogun state is blessed with innovative and politically experienced youths who are well capable of being a commissioner, Senior Special Assistant, Special Assistants and Local Government liaison officers to the Governor on various levels. However, the Governor is making the youths of the state assume that he is planning to walk in the shoes of his predecessor who made the youth suffered so much despite their involvement in putting him at the helm of the State affairs”, Aroboto said.
The youths however passed a vote of confidence on the Governor Abiodun’s administration dismissing insinuation that he was slow.
Aroboto said the governor has so far exceeded expectations despite his short time in office and urge him to continue with his good work.