By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Youth Empowerment Programme, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, has lamented the failure of many political parties in Nigeria to live up to their duties, particularly in fostering youth participation.
Dr. Omenugha, who is also the Convener of Youths Earnestly Seek Solution (YESS), made this assertion while speaking at as a lead discussant at the YouPaD Public Policy Conversation held over the week in Abuja, where he also dissected the critical roles youths can play in political parties to drive national development, the limitations to these, and the ways forward.
Themed “Fostering the Agency of Youth in National Development through Young People in Political Parties in Nigeria”, the well-attended event was organized by The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) in collaboration with the Young Professionals in Policy and Development (YouPaD).
In his speech, Dr. Omenugha defined youth agency as the capacity of young people to act independently, make decisions, and influence society’s development. He noted that despite constituting a significant 60% of Nigeria’s population, young people are often sidelined in political processes due to structural and systemic barriers within political parties. He also expressed concern over the limited engagement of youth in decision-making processes across different sectors, including education, health, and the economy.
He further criticized political parties for failing to intentionally engage and mentor young people, pointing out that the culture of gerontocracy—where older politicians dominate the scene—has stifled youth leadership.
“In many political parties, seniority and age are prioritized over competence, leaving youths as mere foot soldiers during elections without real opportunities for leadership,” he regretted.
According to Dr. Omenugha, the monetization of politics is another major hurdle, as most young people lack the financial resources to compete with wealthier, older politicians. He highlighted how high nomination fees and the cost of campaigns create obstacles for youths aspiring for political office.
He, however, praised the Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa-led All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which, he said not only prides itself as having over 40% of her National Working Committee members to be young people, but also showed a commendable and significant positive example by waiving nomination form fees for young aspirants who contested the just-concluded local government election in Anambra State under APGA.
Also addressing the issue of political violence, Dr. Omenugha acknowledged that the volatile nature of Nigerian politics often discourages progressive youths from getting involved.
“The risks associated with political involvement, including intimidation and violence, often outweigh the perceived benefits, leading many young people to shy away,” he noted.
However, he encouraged youths to persevere, citing Edmund Burke’s dictum, “Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.”
Speaking further, the youth activist also decried the lack of political education and awareness among Nigerian youths. He pointed out that while social media has provided a platform for discussing political issues, meaningful engagement within political parties has remained elusive. He expressed disappointment with political parties’ failure to educate the electorate about their manifestos and core values, contrasting the current situation with the past, where political parties had active clubs in universities.
Also decrying gender discrimination within political parties, he criticized the patriarchal structures that marginalize young women, emphasizing the need for more inclusiveness. He pointed out that apart from the Women Leader position, there are very few roles reserved for women in many political parties in Nigeria, a trend he said must change for more inclusiveness, more engagement, and greater impact.
Citing examples of successful youth engagement in Nigerian politics, Dr. Omenugha referenced the pivotal role of youths in the election of Governor Charles Soludo in 2021. He also lauded the impact of the “Not Too Young to Run” initiative, which lowered the age requirements for elective offices, opening more doors for young people.
Concluding, Dr. Omenugha stressed the need for political parties to serve as true vehicles for youth participation. He further called for stronger internal democracy within parties, transparent processes, and a deliberate effort to mentor young people, ensuring they are not only participants but future leaders of the nation and contributors to national development.
