The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged Nigerian youths to take a more active role in the governance of the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adebayo made the call on Sunday in Abuja while speaking during the Newsmen Personality Interview Series.
He said Nigerian youths constitute a significant part of the country’s political and economic strength and should move beyond merely supporting politicians to actively participating in the political process.
“I don’t belong to those who want to give hope to youths. I want to tell them: You have to take over the governance of your country to give the nation hope,” he said.
Adebayo recalled joining the SDP at the age of 19, stressing that young Nigerians do not need wealth, influence or political connections to participate in politics.
According to him, citizenship alone gives Nigerians the right to participate in the political process.
“That the youth constitute the bulk of Nigeria’s security personnel and workforce makes their participation essential to national development.
“You don’t need anything but your citizenship to participate in politics. You don’t have to have money,” he said.
The SDP candidate urged young Nigerians to go beyond expressing political opinions on social media and become actively involved in political structures at various levels.
He encouraged youths to participate in elections, examine candidates carefully and hold elected officials accountable for their actions while in office.
Adebayo also noted that young people make up the majority of Nigeria’s voting population, giving them considerable influence over electoral outcomes.
“I am not selling hope to you. I am selling involvement to you. I am selling responsibility to you. I am selling duty to you,” he said.
He added, “Whoever the youth vote for will win, because the majority of the voters are youths.”
Adebayo called on Nigerian youths to support political programmes and policies capable of addressing the country’s challenges rather than focusing solely on individual politicians.
He said governance should be based on competence, responsibility and practical solutions to national problems.
The presidential candidate further challenged youths to take ownership of the political process and increase their participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“It is for the youth to rally around what we are doing and to enhance their own role beyond supporters’ club.
“Come and take over; take control of our politics. You can join today and that is a better way to transform our democracy,” he said.
