Stop fighting for politicians, demand power, Ogun Cityboy chieftain urges youths

n n

The Chairman of the Ogun Youth Assembly, Habeeb Whyte, has urged young people across the state to move beyond political sycophancy, online confrontations and blind loyalty to politicians and instead demand meaningful participation in governance and decision-making processes.

n

Whyte made the call in an open letter addressed to Ogun youths titled, “From Banter to Ballots — Demanding a Seat, Not Crumbs.” on Monday.

n

The youth leader, who serves as Deputy Coordinator of the Cityboy Movement in the state, expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of politically active youths limiting their relevance to social media battles and partisan propaganda.

n

According to him, many young people have become defenders of political figures who have yet to provide genuine opportunities for youth development, empowerment and inclusion in governance.

n

He lamented that despite the energy and commitment many youths devote to supporting political leaders, there is often no assurance that such loyalty would translate into appointments, policy influence or sustainable opportunities for the younger generation.

n

“Let us speak the bitter, unvarnished truth: None of us throwing these punches are on the ballot. None of us can confidently guarantee that the principals we bleed for will deliver what the youth constituency rightly deserves in terms of systemic appointments, socio-economic development, robust networking, and sustainable empowerment,” he said.

n

Whyte also criticised some individuals who parade themselves as youth leaders, accusing them of prioritising personal interests and political patronage over advocacy for reforms and programmes that would benefit young people.

n

“We have traded the noble pursuit of institutional development for the crumbs of political patronage,” he stated.

n

The youth advocate urged Ogun youths to build collective influence and focus on competence, capacity development and issue-based engagement rather than personal allegiance to politicians.

n

Drawing a comparison with Lagos State, Whyte argued that young people there have increasingly positioned themselves as professionals, technocrats and policy contributors, earning opportunities in governance based on merit and preparedness.

n

“Lagos is not just a neighbour; it is a living lesson. There, the youths command respect not because they are the loudest, but because they are the most prepared,” he said.

n

He further noted that despite Ogun State’s reputation as a centre of learning and intellectual excellence, many young people have failed to maximise their potential because political relevance is often measured by proximity to power rather than competence and impact.

n

Whyte called on youths to redefine leadership and relevance by focusing on empowerment, policy advocacy and service to society.

n

“Let us redefine what it means to be a relevant youth. Relevance is not measured by how many times your principal calls you. Relevance is measured by how many youths you have empowered. It is measured by the policies you influence. It is measured by the legacy you leave.

n

“It is sad that we have turned our tongues into instruments of betrayal, speaking for personal gain rather than for the truth that will set our State free. But it is not too late,” he added.

n

He stressed the need for a new generation of politically conscious youths capable of influencing governance through knowledge, preparation and unity.

n

According to him, young people who have access to leaders should use their positions to advocate structural reforms that would benefit future generations rather than pursuing personal gains.

n

“We cannot wait for the older generation to hand over power. We must take it — not by force, but by force of intellect, character, and sheer preparation. We need each other. Our division is the oxygen that keeps our marginalization alive,” he said.

n

The call comes amid growing conversations around youth inclusion in governance across Nigeria.

n

Despite constituting a significant percentage of the country’s population, young people have repeatedly complained about limited representation in key decision-making positions and inadequate opportunities for political participation.

n n