Isaac Balami Pledges Support for Seyi Tinubu’s Potential Lagos Governorship Bid

Isaac Balami, a former chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), has expressed his full support for Seyi Tinubu should he decide to run for the governorship of Lagos State in 2027.

Although reports suggest that President Bola Tinubu’s son may be considering a gubernatorial bid, no formal announcement has been made. Nonetheless, Balami believes it is time to end the era of older leaders governing Lagos State, advocating for a younger generation to take the reins.

“If Seyi Tinubu agrees to run in the next Lagos governorship election, I will come all out with my army of youth supporters to support him. As a young man, I’ve suffered greatly in the past because people saw my ambition as a disadvantage,” he said.

“This is the moment to end the practice of gerontocracy for the benefit of Lagosians. There’s no doubt that young people are now taking over politically and economically. History shows that young leaders often bring good governance,” Balami added.

Drawing comparisons with notable figures in global politics, Balami pointed out that Nigeria has had influential leaders who were relatively young when they assumed power. “How old was Yakubu Gowon when he became the head of state? He was 32, and his achievements were immense,” Balami noted. He also cited Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who led Biafra at 33, and Obafemi Awolowo, who became Premier of Western Nigeria at 37.

Balami further highlighted the leadership of Emmanuel Macron, who became the French President at the age of 39. He compared the GDPs of France and Lagos State, suggesting that Seyi Tinubu, who will be 42 in 2027, could lead Lagos just as effectively.

“We cannot continue to use age, gender, or ethnicity as the yardstick for electing leaders. It will only frustrate leadership based on competence and merit,” he concluded. Balami’s call for a change in leadership has sparked discussions on the role of youth in the political landscape of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.