IBADAN — Political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections will come under the spotlight in Ibadan on August 24 and 25 as more than 1,000 emerging political leaders, grassroots mobilisers and stakeholders converge on the Ibadan Civic Centre for the 2026 Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit.
The summit, themed “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, and Mobilizing Emerging Leaders for 2027,” is expected to bring together political actors across party lines, community leaders, youth and women leaders, independent mobilisers and other influential stakeholders as discussions intensify over the political direction of Oyo State ahead of 2027.
Among the high-profile personalities billed to lead discussions is the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, who will serve as Chief Facilitator.
Adedeji is expected to speak on “Fiscal Renewal, Revenue Mobilization, and the Economic Future of Oyo State in the Context of Nigeria’s Progressive National Agenda,” with emphasis on the relationship between economic governance, revenue generation and political leadership.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, is listed as Special Guest of Honour, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
Wike’s presentation, titled “Bridging Political Divides, Building Strategic Alliances, and Mobilizing Oyo State for Progressive Victory in 2027,” is expected to focus on political reconciliation, coalition-building and strategies for consolidating political strength ahead of the next general election.
The summit is being organised as a platform for strengthening grassroots political structures and encouraging greater participation by emerging leaders.
Organisers said the gathering would also seek to promote reconciliation among political actors and build broader support for the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Other speakers expected at the event include the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Wisdom Olawande; APC National Youth Leader, Mr Dayo Israel; and Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Barrister Ismael Ahmed, OON.
Olawande is expected to address youth mobilisation and political inclusion, while Israel will examine the future of grassroots mobilisation within the APC.
Ahmed will speak on energy reform, youth enterprise and the politics of economic opportunity.
Also scheduled to feature are Barrister Seyi Tinubu, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Chief Engineer Dotun Sanusi, and Honourable Engineer Aderemi Abass Oseni, who are expected to address issues ranging from youth political consciousness and reconciliation to private-sector participation, grassroots representation and political inclusion.
The organisers said participants would be drawn from the APC, PDP, APM and other political parties, alongside independent political mobilisers, community leaders, civil society representatives, youth and women groups and media stakeholders.
A major feature of the summit will be the unveiling of the 50 Below 50 Project, Oyo State Chapter, an initiative focused on identifying and empowering emerging political leaders.
Another major event will be the signing of a Generational Inclusion Pact by the APC Oyo 2027 governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, alongside emerging political leaders from across the state.
According to the organisers, the summit is intended to address fragmentation within the political space, strengthen cooperation among emerging leaders and create a broader platform for political participation and strategic mobilisation.
With the 2027 elections already shaping political calculations across the country, the Ibadan gathering is expected to provide an important forum for emerging actors to articulate their interests and determine how they can influence the next phase of Oyo State politics.
