Ademola Bayonle, governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) says his run in the Osun governorship election is not necessarily about winning.

“We have walked our walk and have made our impact. I am excited to be leading the generational shift and this doesn’t just have to do with winning an election,” Mr Bayonle told Peoples Gazette on Saturday. “It is more about awakening the youth to see the strength in their unity.”

He spoke after casting his ballot at his polling unit in Ward 9, Gbongan, Osun state. 

Mr Bayonle, the youngest candidate in the race, described his candidacy as a significant step towards a broadened youth participation in politics. 

Speaking on his exclusion from the governorship debates, “it is not true that they don’t take us serious,” he said. 

“I have spoken to several people even within the media and the government themselves. We know why we were excluded. They were not ready for the disruptive energy we brought and they did everything they could to silence us.”

“They have heard our voice loud and clear. We have made our statement and it certainly doesn’t end here,” he added.