By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja, May 30, 2026 (NAN) The Nigeria Youths in Politics (NYP), a youth-led organisation, says it has concluded arrangements to induct former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan into its Hall of Fame.
Mr Blessing Oyefeso, National President of NYP, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja while unveiling the organisation’s Democracy Day Conference slated for June 10 as part of activities for the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
The conference is themed “Now is the Time: Youths Building a Sustainable Democracy.”
Oyefeso said the conference was designed to bridge the gap between generations of leaders and mobilise young Nigerians for active political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said Obasanjo, who would serve as the Father of the Occasion, would be decorated as the “Custodian of Democracy and Inter-Generational Leadership.”
According to him, Jonathan, who is the Chairman of the Occasion, would receive the “Guardian of Peace and Selfless Leadership Icon” award.
“We strongly believe that honouring leaders who have contributed positively to national development will inspire younger Nigerians to embrace integrity, patriotism, visionary leadership and selfless service,” he said.
Oyefeso said renowned Pan-Africanist, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, would deliver the keynote address on ethical leadership and the future of African democracy.
He added that President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, would be recognised as the “Champion of Youth Political Inclusion.”
Others to be honoured for their contributions to youth empowerment and philanthropy are former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze; and the Chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Ltd., Mr Mathew Tonlagha.
Oyefeso said the conference would also feature the inauguration of the NYP National Working Committee, which would drive youth participation in the electoral process and monitor electoral stakeholders ahead of the 2027 polls.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and NYP National Organising Secretary, Mr Onyenze Virgwes, said the conference was aimed at promoting attitudinal change and addressing challenges such as godfatherism and the imposition of candidates.
Virgwes said it was important to honour past leaders who had set positive democratic precedents, citing Jonathan’s concession of defeat in the 2015 presidential election.
The National Secretary of the NYP Working Committee, Dr Duke Alamboye, expressed concern over what he described as the declining value system in the country’s democratic space, citing alleged irregularities in recent political party primaries.
Alamboye said many young aspirants supported by the organisation were unable to secure party tickets due to systemic challenges within the parties.
“Our participation has been abused. We want to co-opt and bring good values of democracy back, especially as it concerns the younger ones,” Alamboye said.
The NYP Vice-Chairman, Dr Ogenna Walter-Ekwubiri, said youth inclusion in leadership was non-negotiable and urged young Nigerians to move beyond social media activism and engage actively in politics.
“It is time to stop the banter on social media. We, as young people, need to come out, get involved and speak with our thumbs,” she said.
Walter-Ekwubiri said a bill sponsored by the group seeking at least 30 per cent youth representation in governance had scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.
She added that the organisation would embark on a consultation tour of the six geopolitical zones after the conference, beginning with Osun and Ekiti states.
“We will visit every local government area to tell the youths to reject ‘stomach infrastructure’ and avoid violence. Sell your candidates, not hate (NAN)
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