EPISODE 8 OF #ROADTO2027 DIALOGUE SERIES HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR YOUTH PARTICIPATION BEYOND SOCIAL MEDIA TO POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

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Benin City, Edo State | Tuesday, 20 October 2026

The Rally for Peaceful Election has called on Nigerian youths to move beyond social media conversations and embrace active participation in civic engagement, community development, political processes and leadership as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The call was made during Episode 8 of the #RoadTo2027: Nigeria Elections Issues & Concerns Dialogue Series, held on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with the theme: “Youth Participation: Beyond Social Media to Political Leadership.”

The session featured Mr. Peter O. Aguebor, Team Lead of MIND Initiative, as the guest speaker. He shared insights into the opportunities and challenges facing young Nigerians seeking to participate meaningfully in democratic governance and political leadership.

Speaking during the dialogue, Aguebor acknowledged that social media remains a powerful tool for raising awareness, building visibility, mobilizing supporters, communicating ideas and promoting accountability. However, he emphasized that online engagement alone cannot replace policy knowledge, grassroots organizing, direct engagement with decision-makers, community service and active participation in the electoral process.

He noted that despite the opportunities created by the Not Too Young to Run legislation, young people continue to face barriers to political participation, particularly the high cost of nomination forms and campaign financing. He urged young Nigerians to develop the knowledge, skills, networks and experience required to overcome these barriers and contribute effectively to governance.

The guest speaker outlined six pathways for translating online engagement into meaningful public leadership: Notice, Understand, Organize, Engage, Serve and Be Accountable. He explained that young people must first identify the problems affecting their communities, understand the facts and policies surrounding those problems, mobilize others around practical solutions, engage the relevant institutions, take action and remain accountable to the people they seek to serve.

Aguebor further encouraged young people to participate in community associations, civil society organizations, political parties and other civic platforms. He stressed that effective leadership requires integrity, inclusion, evidence-based decision-making, service, civility and accountability.

He also challenged young people to go beyond criticizing public officials by learning how decisions are made, proposing workable solutions and engaging constructively with institutions responsible for addressing community needs.

In his concluding remarks, the speaker urged young Nigerians to take responsibility for their online activities, share credible information and ensure that their digital advocacy translates into practical action. He emphasized that political participation should not end with trending topics, online campaigns or expressions of support, but should extend to voter education, community consultations, policy advocacy and voting during elections.

The Convener of the Rally for Peaceful Election and Executive Director of the Indomitable Youths Organization (IYO), Dr. Bright Oniovokukor, appreciated the guest speaker for the insightful presentation and reiterated the importance of encouraging more citizens, particularly young people, to move from passive observation to active involvement in democratic processes.

He encouraged participants and members of the public to contribute their ideas, share the dialogue with others and take advantage of the platform to discuss issues affecting Nigeria's electoral process and democratic development.

The #RoadTo2027 dialogue series is a non-partisan civic engagement initiative designed to provide a platform for discussing electoral issues, promoting peaceful elections, strengthening citizens' participation and encouraging accountability ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections.

The organizers reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the weekly dialogue every Tuesday, providing opportunities for citizens, civil society actors, youth leaders and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and contribute to a more peaceful, credible and participatory electoral process.

The central message from Episode 8 was clear: social media can amplify young people's voices, but responsible action, community engagement, service and accountability are what turn participation into leadership.

About Rally for Peaceful Election

The Rally for Peaceful Election is a multi-stakeholder, non-partisan platform established on 27 June 2015 to promote peaceful democratic participation and the dividends of democracy through a peace campaign approach. The platform focuses on the electoral process before, during and after elections and is coordinated by the Indomitable Youths Organization (IYO), Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) and other stakeholders.

The platform is currently implementing the 22-episode #RoadTo2027 Nigeria Elections Issues & Concerns Dialogue Series.

Issued by

 

                                                     

Dr. Bright Oniovokukor

Convener, Rally for Peaceful Election

ED, Indomitable Youths Organization (IYO)

+2348068054561

Comr. Jude Obasanmi PhD.

Co-Convener, Rally for Peaceful Election

CRO, Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF)

SSC, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room

+2348037184035

#RoadTo2027
#RallyForPeacefulElection
#ActiveCitizenship
#EveryVoteMatters
#VoterEducation
#PeacefulElection
#Nigeria2027

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