By, Olawale Ogunbusola

The Oyo State Youth Leader of the People’s Democratic Party, Hon. Kazeem Bello, has declared his intention to run for Egbeda Local Government Chairmanship in the 2026 Local Government Council Election.

Bello, a former NANS leader, made the declaration at the PDP council’s Party Secretariat, Old Ife Road Ibadan, on Friday, stating that he is responding to the call of leaders and residents of Egbeda Local Government to liberate the area from “aggressors” and break leadership limitations.

“I want to say that what actually led to this ambition is a response to the call of our leaders, the demands of our people, the yearning of the common man in Egbeda, that it is time for us to come together to liberate our people from the shackles of the aggressors; from the people that put limitation gaps on what we feel should be the success in our local government,” he said.

A technologist cum politician, commended the current chairman, Hon. Sikiru Sanda Oyedele, for his wholesome democratic performance, but noted that the area needs a young, experienced politician like himself to take it to greater heights.

“The present chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Sanda Sikiru Oyedele has performed tremendously, but the gap, or vacuum that may open after his exit necessitated my declaration, that if he has done very well, we need a grassrooter like my humble self, to take Egbeda local government to a greater level of which we believe, collectively we can actually achieve it,” he added.

The PDP youth leader emphasized the importance of demonetizing politics, saying, “Sincerely, we felt the law is good and attainable, but my personal opinion is what the politics of Nigeria nowadays usually entails. It has already been monetized. For ‘Not Too Young to Rule Act’ to be effective, and being effectively discharged, politics must actually be demonetized.”

In his address, the Egbeda PDP Chairman, Chief Ebenezer Alawe, described Bello as a core grassrooter and experienced democracy volunteer, urging him to remain dedicated to the party’s service.

“Aspirant Hon. Kazeem Bello is a committed grassroot politician who has demonstrated his passion for public service. We are confident that he will bring a new perspective and energy to the chairmanship role,”he said.

In their separate remarks, Public Relations Officer of Egbeda PDP, Engineer Ademola Lawal, and a youth stakeholder, Samuel Adeniji also commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for appointing a diverse range of young appointees, urging the youths to be more actively involved in politics for a shared prosperity.

“We applaud Governor Seyi Makinde for his inclusive approach to governance. We urge the youths to take a cue and participate actively in politics to ensure a prosperous future for our generation,” they echoed.

The event featured various tributes, fanfare, endorsements among others with hundred of thousands of party faithful in attendance.