Ahead of Saturday’s national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Coalition of Progressive Youth (COPY) yesterday supported Afeez Bolaji ‘Repete’ to become the National Vice Chairman (Southwest).
‘Repete’, former Deputy National Youth Leader of APC, hails from Oyo State.
Speaking with reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the convener of the group, Olanrewaju Oloja, said the decision of ‘Repete’ to join the race and his eventual emergence would show the world that APC was concerned about youth inclusion in the party.
He said: “This is the first time Oyo State will be having a National Working Committee (NWC) position since the formation of the party in 2014.”
Oloja added: “‘Repete’ distinguished himself and taught the younger generation the true meaning of loyalty when he (‘Repete’) resigned his membership of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to pave the way for the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi to become the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South).
“As a well-respected group in the party, we are behind the aspiration of one of the leading figures in the state. We have no doubt that he is prepared for the challenges ahead. He will not only unify the leaders, he will also give the youth a sense of belonging in the party if trusted with the position.”
“His aspiration symbolises the aspiration of the generality of youths, and we believe that if trusted with the position, he will not only deliver as expected, he will also strengthen the party in the region as we move towards 2023 general election.”
The group appealed to Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, to also key into ‘Repete’s’ youthful agenda, as other Southwest governors have done.
It urged the delegates to vote for ‘Repete’ on Saturday.