Dauda Makama, the legislative aide to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the National Youth Council of Nigeria and other stakeholders have warned youths against allowing politicians to use them as thugs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They urged young Nigerians to shun political violence, understand their rights and participate actively in the electoral process, stressing that political differences should not lead to enmity, bloodshed or the destruction of lives and property.
The stakeholders spoke on Saturday at a political sensitisation programme organised by the Bajju Youth Catholic Organisation at Wusili Tourist Hotel, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State.
The programme, themed “Youth Participation in Politics: Opportunities and Challenges,” attracted political actors, youth leaders and other stakeholders, with women making up a significant proportion of the participants drawn from across the state.
Speaking at the event, Makama said youths must understand that politics is driven by interests and should not allow themselves to be exploited by politicians for selfish ambitions.
He said, “No politician should use the youths as thugs in 2027. They should know their rights, understand the political process and identify the right candidates to support.
“Youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but they must not allow politicians to use them as instruments of violence and abandon them after achieving their political objectives.”
Makama observed that while political leaders often maintained relationships across party lines, their supporters at the grassroots were sometimes left to fight one another.
He urged youths to look beyond established political parties and explore opportunities in parties with lower nomination fees, adding that financial constraints should not prevent young people from participating in politics.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in Chikun Local Government Area, Ambassador Sheyin Wakili, described the programme as timely, given the growing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wakili said youths needed to embrace issue-based politics and recognise that governance continues after elections, irrespective of the party that emerged victorious.
“We need to educate our youths on the politics of understanding, politics without violence and politics without division. After elections, governance continues, and there should be no reason for people to become enemies because they belong to different political parties,” he said.
The youth leader called on the government to support organisations conducting political education and sensitisation programmes, noting that such initiatives would promote peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.
He warned that youths who engaged in electoral violence would be handed over to security agencies, stressing that the protection of lives and property must remain a priority.
Similarly, the National Democratic Congress candidate for Chikun Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Moses Mathew, urged young people to place peace above personal and political ambitions.
Moses said, “The blood of any Nigerian is not worth my ambition. Chikun is greater than any individual, and we must prioritise the peace and progress of our constituency above our political interests.”
He cautioned youths against accepting money, drugs or drinks from politicians to participate in violence, saying those who instigated unrest often remained safe while vulnerable supporters bore the consequences.
“My children are at home watching cartoons, just as the children of many politicians are safe. Do not allow anybody to use you as a political thug. No matter the hunger or hardship, do not exchange your future for a token,” he said.
Earlier, the Chikun Ward Councillor, Jesse David, who represented the local government chairman, Salasi Nuhu Musa, said the programme was designed to encourage young people to participate fully in politics rather than leave elective positions to older politicians.
David urged participants to share the knowledge acquired at the event with others in their communities, expressing optimism that increased political awareness would enable youths to make informed choices and contribute to peaceful elections in 2027.