As Oyo State inches towards the 2027 general elections, the Chairman of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Oyo State Chapter, Comr. Abdulfatai A. Olagbenro, has called on youths across the state to embrace peace, shun political thuggery and take ownership of the democratic process.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan, Comr. Olagbenro described the 2027 election as a defining moment for young people in the Pacesetter State.
According to him, “We constitute over 60 percent of the voting population, yet for too long we have been relegated to the background as mere political tools. The time has come for Oyo youths to move from being spectators to becoming decision-makers.”
He urged youths in all 33 local government areas of the state to resist any attempt by politicians to use them as agents of violence or electoral malpractice, stressing that no political ambition is worth the blood of any youth.
“Do not allow yourselves to be used for ballot box snatching or any form of violence. And do not mortgage your future for a token of N5,000. Your Permanent Voter’s Card is your greatest power; protecting it is protecting your future,” he stated.
Comr. Olagbenro further emphasized the need for active political participation beyond social media activism, calling on eligible youths who are yet to register to do so, and those who have registered to collect their PVCs.
He said the NYC Oyo State Chapter remains non-partisan and will not endorse any political party, but will continue to champion issue-based engagement where candidates are interrogated on critical areas such as job creation, education, security, entrepreneurship and digital innovation.
“Oyo State is renowned for peace. Whether we belong to APC, PDP, Accord, Labour Party or any other party, we remain Omoluabis first. We must sustain that culture of peace, tolerance and unity from Ibadan to Oke-Ogun, from Ogbomoso to Ibarapa,” he added.
The NYC Chairman also disclosed that the Congress will in the coming weeks embark on a statewide voter education and sensitization tour across the 33 LGAs and host the Oyo Youth Leadership Summit 2026, themed: “Youth Voices, Youth Power: Advancing Meaningful Participation in Nigeria’s Electoral Process.”
He concluded by urging Oyo youths to prove that they are not just leaders of tomorrow, but leaders of today whose choices will shape the future of Oyo State and Nigeria.
Signed: Comr. Abdulfatai A. Olagbenro (Legacy)
_Chairman, Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Oyo State Chapter._
