By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Forum of National Youth Leaders of All Political Parties in Nigeria (FNYLPPN) has called on presidential candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to publicly commit to a structured leadership transition that would hand over power to younger Nigerians by 2031.
Speaking at a world press conference on Thursday in Abuja on the state of the nation, Chairman of the Forum, Comrade Eze Onyebuchi-Chukwu, said Nigerian youths are no longer merely seeking inclusion in governance but are now demanding deliberate generational leadership renewal.
He noted that young Nigerians, who constitute the majority of the population and play a decisive role in electoral outcomes, remain significantly underrepresented in top leadership positions despite their contributions to national development.
According to him, the proposed transition is not a call for the exclusion of older leaders, but a planned handover process that would combine the experience of the older generation with the energy and innovation of younger Nigerians.
“We are not here to beg for inclusion as usual, but to demand leadership transition to younger Nigerians,” he said.
The Forum urged all presidential hopefuls to publicly outline their commitment to a leadership succession plan that would begin after the 2027 elections and culminate in a generational shift by 2031.
Beyond leadership transition, the youth leaders also expressed concern over worsening insecurity across the country, describing the continued killings, kidnappings, terrorism and banditry as unacceptable.
They called on the Federal Government, security agencies, state governments, traditional institutions and local communities to intensify efforts to curb insecurity and restore peace nationwide.
The Forum further condemned what it described as “security sabotage” by any individuals or groups, including collaborators within or outside security institutions.
It also cautioned Nigerians on the use of social media, urging users to avoid sharing content that amplifies the activities of criminal groups.
“The more we trend their activities, the more they do,” the Forum warned, while stressing that civic accountability must not translate into the unintentional promotion of criminal propaganda.
The youth leaders reaffirmed their commitment to national unity, democratic participation and constructive engagement in shaping Nigeria’s political future.
They called on stakeholders across political, religious and ethnic divides to support a peaceful and structured generational transition that would strengthen governance and national development.
The Forum concluded by expressing optimism that Nigeria could achieve a balanced leadership system that merges youth-driven innovation with the wisdom of experienced statesmen.
