YOUTH MOBILIZATION FOR 2027 GENERAL ELECTION

Youth Mobilization for 2027 General Election

I have been fascinated with politics since childhood, eagerly studying its intricacies and following global political developments. Over time, I’ve honed an ability to predict electoral outcomes with surprising accuracy—a skill that often contrasts with how others perceive me. Despite my quiet engagement with politics, many in my community have long viewed me as an aspiring pastor. In fact, my neighbors only learned my name after my wife moved in; until then, they simply called me “Pastor,” judging by my demeanor, associations, and lifestyle. 

Growing up in the Deeper Life Bible Church, I was shaped by a strict spiritual upbringing. Electronic media were prohibited in our home, and the church’s teachings portrayed politics as a corrupt realm to be avoided. Good Christians, it was believed, should steer clear of such associations. Yet in 2021, I took a bold step into politics by joining the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). 

My political journey coincided with Nigeria’s electrifying 2023 presidential race, where youth enthusiasm surged behind Peter Obi’s Labour Party (LP). Torn between loyalty to the PDP and the energy of Obi’s movement, I admired PDP’s Barrister Nyesom Wike for his impactful governance in Rivers State—swiftly delivering projects with tangible results. I was ready to champion his presidential bid, but the tide of youth support for Obi posed a dilemma. 

Ahead of the election, I published an article subtly predicting Tinubu’s (APC) victory over Obi and the PDP. Friends questioned why I’d “support an old guard,” but I argued that youth mobilization began too late. Many squandered the moment, resorting to insults on the Labour Party platform rather than issue-based persuasion. Emotions aside, the results proved my analysis: Tinubu won, Atiku placed second, and Obi third. 

This outcome should prompt reflection. While emotions decry rigging, logic demands accountability. We cannot reclaim Nigeria’s future through TikTok dances and Twitter lamentations alone. With youth comprising 60% of the population, our potential is immense—but only if we engage strategically. 

The 2027 election is our next battleground. To win, we must learn from 2023’s missteps: start mobilizing early, prioritize substance over vitriol, and participate in grassroots politics. Patriotism requires action, not just passion. Let’s build a movement that marries idealism with pragmatism—because emotions alone won’t win elections. 

#BeAPatrioticYouth

Until the moment when will shall dance in white Greater Grace.

Oyugbo Osagie Jonah