By Muhammad Mamman
Prominent Nigerian activist Aisha Yesufu has urged citizens to take responsibility for the country’s future, warning that no individual or group will “come to save” Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a message shared on social media, Yesufu challenged Nigerians to abandon what she described as a culture of political passivity and misplaced hope in political elites, insisting that meaningful change can only come through active civic engagement.
“2027: Nobody is coming to save you,” she wrote, stressing that the power to reshape the country lies with voters themselves rather than politicians, foreign actors or so-called political messiahs.
The outspoken campaigner, who rose to prominence during the #BringBackOurGirls and #EndSARS movements, called on Nigerians to organise, ask critical questions and hold leaders accountable at all levels of government.
Yesufu’s comments come amid growing public frustration over economic hardship, insecurity and governance challenges across Africa’s most populous nation. With the next general elections still two years away, political conversations are already intensifying, particularly among young people disillusioned with the political class.
Analysts say her remarks reflect a broader sentiment among civil society groups advocating sustained participation beyond election periods, including voter registration, issue-based campaigning and community mobilisation.
As Nigeria moves gradually towards the 2027 polls, Yesufu’s message serves as a stark reminder that democratic change, she argues, is driven not by saviours but by citizens willing to act.
