FEC Meeting: Nigerian Youth Group Rallies Support For Seyi Tinubu • Warns Interlopers Not To Pitch Tinubu Against Son

By Isaac Asabor

LAGOS/Nigeria: In light of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s statement that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) should not be a meeting for all, the All-Nigerian Youth Support Group has warned that members of the President’s cabinet should not criticize Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, for his role during and after his father’s election.

The faction led by Ismail Tanko maintains that Seyi, while not a member of the FEC, has been instrumental in supporting the President in fulfilling his campaign pledges.

ANYSG is an active group in support of fairness and good governance, according to Ismail Tanko, and “Seyi has never addressed nor told anyone that he is a member of the Executive Council of the Federal Republic nor holding any position in Government but has been playing the role to help his father succeed.”

During the FEC meeting on Monday, President Tinubu, “Last week, I noticed people sneaking in and out of this council, including the FEC meeting.” I noticed a snapshot of my son, Seyi, seated behind… “That is not acceptable,” Tinubu remarked.

Tinubu, who aspires to be an outstanding leader, was upset that people who were not entitled to enter the council chamber were allowed in, including his 37-year-old son.

“Last week, I witnessed people sneaking in and out of this council, including… I noticed a snapshot of my kid, Seyi, seated behind… That is not acceptable,” added Mr. Tinubu.

He also mentioned Hadiza Usman, special adviser on policy coordination; Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy; Hakeem Muri-Okunola, principal private secretary; and Damilotun Aderemi, private secretary.

The group, however, stated that Seyi’s presence at the FEC meeting does not imply that he is a regular at the FEC meeting and may not be.

“Let me assure Nigerians that Seyi is not an intrusive invader. He will never be, because he is astute enough to avoid cabinet meetings. He may have come around the mansion to leave a message, but he never took a prominent seat and instead sat back. President Tinubu is his father, and he should not be chastised or humiliated.

The Group’s President also insisted that during the campaign for the 2023 Presidential elections, Seyi was the face and rallying point of the youths who voted massively for the President, despite facing stiff challenges from Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate with a large number of youth rallying behind him, and the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the February 2023 Presidential elections.

“The President did not in any way say that Seyi was seated but said he saw him at the back. He did not say Seyi in any way contributed to the proceedings of the FEC meeting and couldn’t have done that either.

He said, “We know those spreading false rumours against the young man. We know they are not comfortable with Seyi seeing around his family. Tell me why they want him out? They want to create the impression that he is interfering. But he is not. Nobody can tell us that he is influencing his father. This is not fair to the young man.

Interestingly, many people who believe the President can be pushed around have used blackmail, intimidation, and backbiting to gain an advantage in discrediting the young guy.

According to Ismail Tanko, Seyi has been an advocate for transparency and youth inclusion in President Tinubu’s administration, where most of the young men and women have been assigned to Ministerial and Executive positions in government institutions. According to the All-Nigerian Youth Support Group, the President’s son is not arrogant, but rather well-mannered, and should not be intimidated.

The group revealed on Tuesday in Abuja that some members of Tinubu’s cabinet, intent on derailing his high ambitions and economic turnaround, want the President to believe that his son has undue influence in some of Tinubu’s decisions.

“Seyi Tinubu is a young man who strongly believes in equity, transparency, and fairness.” We understand that some FEC members are withholding important appointment letters, which the young man may have objected to because youths must be actively involved in administration.

“Once again, Seyi has been an advocate for transparency and youth involvement in President Tinubu’s administration, where most of the young men and women have been appointed to Ministerial and Executive positions in government agencies.”

According to the All-Nigerian Youth Support Group, the President’s son is not arrogant, but rather well-mannered, and should not be intimidated.

The group revealed on Tuesday in Abuja that some members of Tinubu’s cabinet, intent on derailing his high ambitions and economic turnaround, want the President to believe that his son has undue influence in some of Tinubu’s decisions.

He added “Seyi Tinubu is a young man, who believes so much in equity, transparency, and fairness. We understand that some vital appointment letters are being held back by some FEC members which the young man may have kicked against since the youths need to be fully involved in the administration.”