By Adenike Lawal
The Southern Youth Movement (SYM), has called on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to run for Lagos State Governor in the 2027 elections.
The appeal was made on January 24, 2025, in a statement by the group’s National President, High Chief Promise Lawuru.
SYM highlighted Seyi Tinubu’s qualifications, emphasizing his deep connection to Lagos and his ability to meet constitutional requirements.
The group vowed to mobilize support across southern Nigeria, advocating for increased youth participation in governance.
“Seyi Tinubu is qualified to be governor in all ramifications,” the statement read.
The group dismissed age as a barrier, praising Seyi’s digital expertise and potential to address Lagos’ contemporary challenges.
They urged Lagosians to assess Seyi’s capabilities independently of his family ties, noting his contributions to youth inclusion in governance, including appointments of young leaders in key national positions.
SYM reaffirmed their mission to support capable youth leaders across southern Nigeria while collaborating with elder statesmen for mentorship.
“Youths with capable hands shall take center stage in governance come 2027 and beyond,” they declared.

By Our Correspondent 

A two-day citizen-led national conference to address challenges threatening Nigeria’s democracy will begin on Monday in Abuja.

The event, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” will feature prominent figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former military head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and NNPP’s Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Other stakeholders, such as APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are also expected.

Organized by a coalition of civil society groups, including the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the conference aims to strengthen governance, address electoral malpractices, and restore public trust.

Dr. Otive Igbuzor, the chief organizer, highlighted the urgent need to tackle Nigeria’s democratic flaws, including weakened institutions, corruption, and declining civic engagement, despite 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule.

The conference will include a keynote address by Ghana’s former Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, and a presentation by Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim on challenges and prospects for the 2027 elections.

Igbuzor emphasized that the conference seeks to mobilize citizens, reform political parties, and build partnerships for democratic renewal, with the ultimate goal of fostering a resilient, inclusive, and accountable democratic system.

By Ade Iyamoye 

The National Assembly has summoned the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, to address concerns over the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the economy from its reliance on crude oil revenues.

The Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on Solid Minerals expressed dissatisfaction with the meager N9 billion allocated to the Ministry of Solid Minerals in the 2025 budget, despite earlier promises of substantial funding.

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, while defending his ministry’s budget on Monday, described his struggle to secure better funding.

He revealed that initial budgetary provisions for the ministry stood at a paltry N5 billion, which was only marginally increased to N9 billion after intense lobbying.

Responding to lawmakers’ queries on why his close ties to President Bola Tinubu had not translated into better funding for the sector, Alake maintained that the president was committed to economic diversification, citing the inclusion of the sector in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

However, he declined to divulge details of his discussions with the president.

Joint committee co-chairs Senator Ekong Samson and Honourable Gaza Jonathan criticized the budget allocation, highlighting its inadequacy to support solid minerals development, a critical pillar for economic diversification.

Samson emphasized the need for strategic investment in the sector, comparing Nigeria’s situation with other economies where solid minerals play a vital role.

The committees deferred the ministry’s budget defense until the summoned officials provide further explanations today.