By Bashir Bello, Abuja.
*Political parties in Nigeria have lost political direction – Showumi
The attitude of Nigerian politicians using youth in the build up to national elections and later band among them is unacceptable.
This was expressed by the President, National Youth Alliance (NYA), Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, in his speech, while inaugurating the chairmen of the NYA from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as the unveiling of NYA official website and portal, on Monday January 26, 2027 at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja.
“We must speak the truth:
Many of our politicians have confused and misguided the youth—using them during elections, ignoring them during governance, and abandoning them after victory. Women, despite their strength, resilience, and numbers, remain largely confined to the margins of power.
“This is unacceptable.
And this is why the National Youth Alliance exists,” he said.
According to him, the NYA is not a pressure group for noise, not a platform for violence., but a movement for structure, inclusion, and leadership development.
“Today, as we inaugurate our State Chairmen across the federation, we are deliberately positioning young men and women who understand their communities, who believe in unity, and who are committed to service—not self.
“To the newly inaugurated State Chairmen and FCT leadership, he charged them to be active, not just
ceremonial figures.
“You are architects of grassroots transformation. You carry the responsibility of organizing, educating, and mobilizing youths and women toward constructive participation in politics, governance, and nation-building,” he said.
Speaking further, he said that, “Today marks a historic milestone in the journey of the National Youth Alliance (NYA). We are not only inaugurating our 36 State Chairmen and the FCT leadership, we are also unveiling our Official Website and Digital Portal—a symbol of structure, transparency, and a new digital direction for youth engagement in Nigeria.
“This gathering is not ceremonial alone. It is symbolic.
It is strategic. And above all, it is a statement of intent.
“Nigeria’s youths and women are angry. They are aggrieved.
Not because they lack ideas or energy—but because for too long, they have been excluded, misled, and underrepresented in the decisions that shape their lives and their future.”
On the unveiling of NYA official website and portal, he explained that it further reinforces their commitment to transparency, coordination, and digital inclusion.
“This platform will connect our structures nationwide, amplify youth voices, provide access to opportunities, and serve as a hub for ideas, policy engagement, and leadership development.
“Let me be very clear:
The future of Nigeria will not be secured by age alone, nor by recycled leadership. It will be secured when youths and women are properly positioned—not as tools, but as decision-makers.
“We are not asking for power because of our age.
We are demanding inclusion because of our competence, numbers, and stake in Nigeria’s future.
“The NYA will continue to advocate for peaceful engagement, political education, accountability, and responsible leadership. We will partner, we will engage, and where necessary, we will challenge—always in the interest of a better Nigeria,” he said.
Ambassador Abbas appreciated their partners, elders, and allies who believe in their vision for standing with them.
“To Nigerian youths and women watching today: your voice matters, your future matters, and your time is now.
“Together, we will build a Nigeria where leadership is earned, governance is inclusive, and hope is restored,” he said.
In her goodwill message, a former Minister of State, FCT, Hajiya Ramatu T. Aliyu, who served as Mother of the day, said that youth need to rise up to take their rightful place.
She said that youth in Nigeria must unite to make the difference and make Nigeria earn its rightful pace as giant of Africa.
“A dream that Nigeria moves forward is what we envisage. We can’t continue to do same thing again and expect different result. The answer is with you, the unity of Nigeria is non negotiable.
“That you are bounded by one unity, you will succeed. I envisage a Tsunami movement,” she said.
She said that she believes in the movement and will be always available to contribute to its success.
She urged youth to remember that leadership, love and order is crucial, tasking them to be law abiding in all their dealings.
“Having a figure of 50 million Nigerian youth is no joke. Avoid being used as youth of political violence. If you destroy things through violence, when you take over, what will you oversee,” she appealed.
While inaugurating the NYA states executive, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Spokesman, and Chairman of the ocassion, Chief Segun Showunmi, said that
political parties in Nigeria have lost direction.
He expressed this while inaugurating the state chairmen of the 36 states and FCT
“It is possible that if you approach your work as a journey that will surpass the present ideology that we have now, you may be a vehicle that will rescue Nigeria.
“You have gathered because of passion, you have gathered because of believe,” he said.
