The South-West Voters Association of Nigerian Youths has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Prince Adewole Adebayo, as its preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The group announced the endorsement on Wednesday at a press conference held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The association, which said it has structures across the 137 local government areas and more than 1,500 wards in the six South-West states, said the decision followed a three-month internal consultation and assessment of presidential aspirants.
The group said the process included scrutiny of manifestos and town hall meetings with youths, students, artisans, market women, farmers and professionals across the region.
The President and Convener of the association, Otunba Subomi Kolawole, said the endorsement was based on Adebayo’s perceived competence, character and capacity to address the country’s economic and security challenges.
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According to him, Nigeria is facing severe economic hardship, insecurity, challenges in the education and healthcare sectors, as well as high youth unemployment.
Kolawole said the group was particularly impressed by Adebayo’s manifesto, which he said proposed job creation, investment in agriculture, housing, manufacturing and the digital economy.
He also cited the SDP candidate’s proposals on security, energy, rule of law and youth participation in governance.
The association said Adebayo’s plan to increase security personnel, deploy technology and establish community-based security structures aligned with what it described as the needs of Nigerians.
It also said his proposal to rehabilitate existing refineries and promote modular refineries would help reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
On youth participation, the group said Adebayo had pledged that at least 70 per cent of his political appointees would be youths and women.
The association subsequently directed its state, zonal, local government and ward coordinators, as well as canvassers and polling unit mobilisers, to begin mobilisation for Adebayo and the SDP ahead of the 2027 election.
It said its target was to secure at least six million votes for Adebayo from the South-West.
The group also appealed to youth organisations, student unions, artisans, market associations and other groups in the region to support its campaign for the SDP candidate.
The Director of Mobilisation and Strategy of the association, Arowosomo Ayomide Aderayo, also signed the statement.
