PRESS RELEASE

South West Development Stakeholders Forum, comprising civil society organisations,

professionals, and religious leaders met on Thursday, 8th December 2022.

The Forum called for a parley with presidential candidates of major political parties as soon as possible, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Southwest is the industrial and commercial engine room of Nigeria. All indexes clearly show that the Nigerian economy is driven by economic activities in the Southwest of Nigeria.

Given its growing population of  more than 50 million residents, its historical trajectory as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, its strategic political importance, and huge potential in driving  national growth and development; the region deserves to know from the presidential candidates exactly how they intend to incorporate the Southwest in their agenda for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.

The Southwest can also boast of having residents from most, if not all, ethnic nationalities of Nigeria. We are the biggest, non-discriminatory, melting pot for Nigerians and their social,  commercial and other development activities and therefore deserve the critical consideration of all  candidates.

With just over two months to the general elections, there is a need for the Presidential, as well as the region's Gubernatorial and Legislative candidates, to pronounce their plans for a concrete development agenda for the Southwest.

South West Development Stakeholders is willing and ready to  bring the Presidential candidates to the table to address Yoruba people, and indeed all Nigerians living in the Southwest, of specific plans to make them true stakeholders in the new unfolding federation.

Detailed plans for the parley will be announced soon.

Signed for the South West Development Stakeholders:

1. Alao Adedayo

2. Ayodeji Osibogun

3. Gbenga Adebusuyi

4. Kayode Adeyemi

5. Foluso Oyenuga

5. Ayo Famuyide

And on behalf of:

1.Muyiwa Bamgbose

2.Tokunbo Ogunbanjo

3. Akin-Deko

4.Olalekan Ajia

5. Ayo Oyerinde

6. Yemi Adegoke

7. Jumoke AkinTaylor

8. Taiwo Ayedun

9. Bukola Adeniji

1. Gbenga Awosode

11.  Abdurahman Awwalu

12 . Dubi Imevbore

13. Adeolu Ogunbanjo

14.  Oluola Agbeniyi

15. Akintayo Laugbasa

16. Solape Ogungbade

17. Muritala

18. Philip Ogundele

19.  Kunle Adesokan

20. Kola Ogundowole

21.  Adekunle Olaiya

22.  Francis Eluwole

23.  Oluyide