The Inspire Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) has declared that Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will not follow “business as usual,” stressing that young people are ready to reshape the nation’s political order through active participation and accountability.
Mr Rabiu Lawal, Convener of the group, made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during a roundtable tagged “The Youth Mandates 2027.” The discussions focused on voter registration, collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and strategies for youth involvement in governance.
Lawal noted that although Nigerian youths form the majority of registered voters, their impact on leadership and policy has remained limited. He argued that the next election cycle offers an opportunity for young people to move from the sidelines to the centre of political decision-making.
“The elections will not be business as usual for politicians, as growing political awareness among young Nigerians and renewed calls for inclusiveness are expected to redefine voter behaviour and the overall electoral process,” Lawal said.
He revealed that IYDF aims to mobilise a 100,000-strong youth base before 2027 to influence elections, shape policies, and demand accountable governance. According to him, “The upcoming elections are not an option. They are a duty. We must register, we must vote and some of us must even contest.”
Lawal also challenged young Nigerians to demand accountability from peers already holding political office. “Representation is not about enjoying the seat; it is about delivering for the people who voted for you,” he said.
Another speaker at the event, Mr Muslim Yuguda, an entrepreneur and youth politician, reinforced the call, stressing that young Nigerians hold the decisive numbers to determine leadership outcomes.
“The youth are over 60 per cent of the nation’s population and everyone has their role to play. We constitute the largest voting bloc and our collective voice will play a decisive role in shaping leadership at all levels of government,” he said.
