Joe Igbokwe’s Comment Against Seyi Tinubu’s Guber Ambition Discriminatory, Awful — Uche Darlington

Onitsha — Prominent individuals across Nigeria have criticized remarks by Chief Joe Igbokwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC), suggesting that Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is unfit to contest the governorship of Lagos State due to his age.

One of the critics, Prince Uche Darlington Okeke, a British-trained lawyer and former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Anambra State, described Igbokwe’s comment as discriminatory and archaic.

Barrister Okeke’s Response

Okeke rebuked Igbokwe’s assertion that Lagos State is “not for boys,” emphasizing that such views undermine the potential of young leaders.

• Leadership is Beyond Age:
  “History has shown us that age is neither a barrier nor a determining factor in leadership. There are numerous examples of young leaders who have made significant impacts globally,” Okeke remarked.
• Global Examples of Young Leaders:
  • Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world at 25.
  • Napoleon Bonaparte became a military leader at 24 and Emperor of France at 35.
  • Bill Clinton became Governor of Arkansas at 32 and U.S. President at 43.
  • Emmanuel Macron became France’s youngest President at 39.
  • Rishi Sunak assumed office as the UK Prime Minister at 42.
• Nigerian Precedents:
  • Yakubu Gowon became Nigeria’s Head of State at 32.
  • Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu declared Biafra’s independence at 33.
  • Obafemi Awolowo became Premier of Western Nigeria at 37.
  • Nnamdi Azikiwe was Premier of Eastern Nigeria at 41.
  • Goodluck Jonathan became Bayelsa State Governor at 43 and later Nigeria’s President.

Additionally, Okeke highlighted recent examples such as Peter Obi, who became Governor of Anambra State at 46, Orji Uzor Kalu, who governed Abia State at 39, and Donald Duke, who was 37 when he became Governor of Cross River State.