I am Gboyega Tokunbo, Coordinator for the Not Too Young To Run Movement Oyo. I have had a very good contact with YIAGA Africa which became the first defining point for availing us the opportunity to be reckoned with in this project. It started from the honour bestowed on me to confirm my participation in the NTYTR organizing training, I had not been so much involved in this but my first action was to press forward to know what it is all about. The #NotTooYoungToRun Community Organizing Training on February 16 – 18 At the launch of the Movement in Abuja, Mr Samson Itodo shared the goals of the movement in a roundtable meeting with representatives of all states, and as a young passionate citizen, I was heartened on such a movement that embodies an ideal of youth inclusion in governance and youth’s suffrage at a time of facile marginalisation and deprivation; a time when all that matter was “absolute godfathers” and “old-men politics”, a time that our constitution and the ambience of democracy was leaning on the few majority money-bags. I knew it would be a great privilege to learn and upgrade my capacity. Thereafter, I was privileged to front the mobilisation of youths across the State, meet with the Oyo State House of Assembly Reps, engage with media stations, and work with the team for the first National Day of Action and other subsequent programs. My defining moment was during the training in Abuja which gave me the opportunity to learn what it takes to organize and mobilize and the planning of the National Day of Action, although we had a very short time to plan but the youths (in campuses, and communities) widely embraced the awareness, this became germane to the success of the movement in the State. Also, at a time that I scheduled a meeting with the Commissioner of Police for the rally, his first reaction was skeptical thinking it was a protest (unfortunately it was a march) a barbaric inkling that Nigerian leaders believe young people are nothing but protesters, rogues, and inconsequential, unfortunately that was similar to the reactions we got at the State House of Assembly consequently, but, with the movement, we needed to prove them wrong and we did!

2. Your Challenge Stories and Experiences – Talk about a time when you had to overcome a major obstacle as a State Coordinator.

Tip: A story that tells of what you consider your greatest threat(s) or challenge(s) during the advocacy and how you overcame the obstacle(s).

We had lots of challenges at every phase of the advocacy. First, the people! There’s a level of skepticism that embattles Nigerians at anything new particularly when such thing is for their benefit. I assume is as a result of our shabby experience of governance and politics in Nigeria. We had outright rejection of the Bill from onset in the State, even when we had to tell the success stories of Not Too Young To Run at the United Nations, France, Canada, Austria, etc., and about past Nigerian leaders who ruled at relatively young age. Severally, most media stations debated the goals and objectives of the Bill pessimistically with incendiary rhetorics when we began to have tractions in the State. Second, the lawmakers! We had fireback arguments and outright refusal to seek consent of or address the House or the Speaker. We made use of the same media to pacify the public, particularly at our interviews and Press Conference in February. We also adopted a strong working relationship with some of the lawmakers, devised a mechanism for continuous discussion among youths, and encouraged youths to contest for election to public office. 

3. Lessons from your NTYTR Stories and Experiences -¬¬¬ What are the main lessons you’ve learned from all your NTYTR engagements?

Tip: What you would love to document for future movements building. This must be drawn from your own experiences.

Realistically, movements such as this reminds me of two key components. First, purpose! I can deduce that ‘Not Too Young To Run’ serves one key purpose – youth inclusion in Nigerian politics, meaning if I’m 25, 30, or 35, by all standards, I can pick up a ticket to vie for any political office in my country. In retrospect, most movements have lost track of basis for formation, for instance, Nigerian Youth Movement, reputed to be Nigeria’s first youth mobilisation group endured 17 years before dissolution, founded on the premise to promote native participation in colonial government and civil service, and also to encourage intertribal cooperation and nationalism. The demise of this group ensued from a blend of ethnic tension and political infighting, which is a contrast to the purpose of its establishment. I believe when purpose is unbeknownst or underemphasize, abuse is inevitable, hence, we must continue to strengthen and uphold the ideals of inclusive democracy, active and positive participatory politics, not just during elections or every four years but at every fabric of our nation, and that is what we owe the next generation – a legacy and a heritage! Second, trust in your ability and the abilities of other people! I am aware that ‘Not Too Young To Run’ is not shouldered by “one”, it’s an outcome of ceaseless and painstaking efforts of progressive “minds”. From the famous Ubuntu slogan “I am because you are, you are because we are”, the twist is, the continual success of this movement lies in ‘people’, and we must continue to believe and trust ourselves to create the impacts we want!

4. What is/are your most memorable experience(s) in the NTYTR Journey? What does your experience being part of the advocacy mean to you?

Firstly, it was the opportunity scream to a crowd again for the love of the young people in Nigeria and lead a massive rally but the opportunity to organize a National Day of Action is indescribable and incontrovertible. No microphone or amplifier, with a crowd of 100 individuals, including cyclers, skaters and 2 vans of police entourage, on a major traffic road in Ibadan that was an amazing experience. Above all, engaging political stakeholders, media personalities, young aspirants, young leaders, civil servants, focus groups, civil society, educationists, grassroot leaders, youths and aged persons, and particularly working with the team of 5 persons despite their very busy schedules, has been my major highlight and a great experience of thought leadership, because consequently I had to research the 1999 Constitution from time to time, discuss global governance and national interests, explore youth integration, ethics and codes, learn history and biographies. The depth of my understanding had changed from normal to supernormal because it was a great responsibility, and every Nigerian youth must understand this inclination that taking leadership is a true test of competence and skills, and competing with the older folks that have rich experiences (in both private and public sector) and the finance, might be an herculean task, therefore it is not about “Not Too Young To Run”, but “Not Too Young To Win”.