The Forum of National Youth Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria (FNYLPPN) has declared that the drumbeats of division must stop, as it urged young Nigerians to turn their backs on political violence, ethnic bigotry, religious intolerance and electoral malpractice.
The call formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the “National Youth Leaders Hangout with Journalists” organised by the forum in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Eze Chukwu, on Wednesday.
“The Forum calls on Nigerian youths to reject political violence, ethnic hatred, religious intolerance, and electoral manipulation.
“The Forum warns political elites to stop dividing the youths along regional, ethnic and religious lines for their selfish political interests calling on the youths to refuse to be deceived by some politicians.
“The man from Nnewi should see the man from Sokoto as his brother. Going forward, no Nigerian Youth should refer to the other as Nyamiri, Onye Ofe Mmanu, or aboki, we are just Nigerians and in one progressive Nigeria we stand,” he said.
The forum also charged presidential hopefuls for the 2027 general election and national chairmen of political parties to openly embrace a clear-cut youth inclusion agenda, saying young people should no longer remain spectators in the political arena.
It further called on political parties to go beyond reserving only the office of youth leader for young members, urging them to create deliberate pathways for youths to participate actively in party structures and candidate selection processes.
According to the communiqué, political parties should slash the cost of expression of interest and nomination forms by 70 percent for aspirants aged 35 years and below.
“Democracy must not be reserved only for the wealthy. Young Nigerians must be given a fair opportunity to participate in governance without financial intimidation.
“Political parties and other relevant stakeholders should address the issues of campaign financing, violence, and intimidation that disproportionately affect young aspirants through electoral reform.
“President Bola Tinubu should establish a National Youth Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Centres in the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria and the FCT to enhance massive youth employment and empowerment,” the forum said.
The forum also appealed to the Federal Government and agencies handling youth-related programmes to expand the official youth age bracket from 18–35 years to 18–45 years.
It said such a move would accommodate millions of Nigerians in their late thirties and early forties who are still battling for economic survival, leadership opportunities and relevance in government-backed youth initiatives.
On insecurity, the forum raised the alarm over rising cases of killings, kidnappings, terrorism, cultism, drug abuse and other violent crimes sweeping across the country like wildfire and affecting young Nigerians.
“As much as we recognise the efforts and sacrifices of our gallant officers, we are calling on the government to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve community policing.
“We are also calling on the Federal government to address the root cause of insecurity like youth unemployment, lack of affordable education, and exclusion in governance of their country and not just the symptoms,” the forum said.
The group also lamented the crumbling state of public school infrastructure across local government areas in the 36 states and the FCT, warning that continued neglect could cast a long shadow over the future of Nigerian youths.
It urged patriotic Nigerians, private and public sector players, civil society organisations, the media and development partners to throw their weight behind capacity-building programmes for emerging young political actors in the country.
