I am Gboyega Tokunbo, Coordinator for the Not Too Young To Run Movement Oyo State. My journey started through a close relationship with YIAGA Africa, which provided the opportunity to join this historic project. During the organizing training in Abuja, Samson Itodo shared the goals of the movement in a roundtable meeting with representatives of all states. As a passionate young citizen, I was heartened by a movement that embodied the ideals of youth inclusion in governance and youth suffrage at a time of deep marginalization and "old-men politics."
We organized and mobilized the National Day of Action in Oyo State. Even though we had very short notice, the youth on campuses and in local communities widely embraced the awareness. At first, when scheduling a rally with the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, his reaction was highly skeptical—assuming it was a chaotic protest rather than an orderly march. This patronizing attitude, believing young people are nothing but troublemakers, was something we had to fight and successfully prove wrong.
We faced massive skepticism from the general public, who are often cynical of anything new due to years of bad governance. Several media houses initially debated the bill pessimistically, using heated rhetoric. Lawmakers also pushed back, refusing to grant us access to the Speaker or address the Assembly. However, by using strategic media campaigns, building close working relationships with key lawmakers, and hosting continuous discussions among youth, we eventually broke the deadlock.
A movement like Not Too Young To Run teaches two core lessons. First: Purpose. The movement maintained a laser focus on one goal—constitutional age reduction for running for public office. When the purpose is clear, it cannot be easily co-opted. Second: Trust. Success lies in the power of the collective. As the Ubuntu philosophy teaches, "I am because you are, you are because we are." The continuation of our democratic progress depends on this progressive trust.
