As political activities intensify for the 2027 general elections, youth leaders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have warned against the mobilisation of young Nigerians for political violence.
Instead, they called for greater youth participation in governance and decision-making.
The leaders said youths must not be reduced to mere campaign mobilisers and electoral foot soldiers, insisting that young Nigerians with the capacity, experience and ideas to contribute to national development should be given meaningful opportunities to shape policies and governance.
The newly elected president of the FCT Youth Network (FCT-YN), Comrade Yamawo Destiny, stated this shortly after receiving his certificate of return following his election on Saturday.
Destiny said his administration would focus on uniting youths across the FCT and creating a common platform through which they could engage government and other stakeholders on issues affecting their welfare and future.
“My expectation is to unite all the youths of the FCT, to talk in unity and in one voice, to advocate for good governance and inclusive governance in the FCT,” he said.
Speaking on the 2027 elections, Destiny urged young Nigerians to participate actively but peacefully in the democratic process, particularly warning against irresponsible use of social media.
He said while youths had the right to demand accountability and good governance, such demands must be pursued within the law and without infringing on the rights of others.
“We will be trying to educate our youths to maintain peace even in their social engagement. We have the zeal to advocate for good governance, but it is also good to do it in such a way that we will not trample on another person’s rights,” he said.
The FCT-YN president also cautioned young people against allowing politicians to exploit them for violent activities during the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, the newly elected ambassador representing non-indigenous youths in the FCT, Comrade Felix Attah Emmanuel, pledged to ensure that the voices and concerns of young people were effectively communicated to government.
Emmanuel, who cited his experience in student union leadership, said he had served as a student union representative, Speaker of the Students’ Union Government of the University of Jos and Vice President, Special Duties, of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
He said his leadership experience had equipped him to mobilise youths and pursue their interests through constructive engagement.
“We have to do with consolidation, consultation before confrontation,” Emmanuel said.
According to him, youth leaders should consult their members, consolidate their demands and engage relevant authorities before resorting to confrontation.
Addressing concerns over possible youth restiveness during the 2027 elections, Emmanuel said the leadership had a responsibility to channel the energy of young people towards productive and peaceful activities.
He disclosed that the network had already engaged security experts during an orientation programme to educate youths on peace and security.
The executive director of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO), Commandant Isaac David, challenged young people to go beyond making demands on government and begin to develop practical programmes capable of attracting government support.
David urged youths to demonstrate their readiness for leadership by producing innovative ideas and conceptual frameworks that could address developmental challenges.
“Youth are not just leaders of tomorrow; youth are still leaders of today. If they make themselves worthy to be recognised through very good developmental ideas, I believe that the sky will be their limit,” he said.
