First Lady, Defence Minister Warn Youths Against Political Manipulation Ahead of 2027

(First Lady, Defence Minister Christopher Musa. Photo credit: Nation News)

The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Defence Minister General Christopher Musa have issued a stern warning to Nigerian youths ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them not to allow politicians to exploit and destroy their futures.

Tinubu cautioned young Nigerians against becoming sacrificial lambs for desperate politicians seeking to advance selfish ambitions.

Musa warned that criminals and political actors could use drugs, money and other inducements to manipulate vulnerable youths into violence.

The two leaders spoke separately at the National Christian Youth Security Summit and Thanksgiving in Abuja organised by the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria.

As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, concerns persist over the recurring practice of recruiting unemployed and vulnerable young people as political thugs.

Election-related violence has remained a persistent problem in Nigeria, with youths often recruited to disrupt campaigns, attack opponents and intimidate voters.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Tinubu said the country faced a critical election period and urged young Nigerians to learn from past mistakes.

She stressed that no politician deserved a young person's life or future and urged youths to embrace peaceful democratic participation and nation-building instead of violence.

She asked youths to pray for the country and its leaders at all levels rather than engage in destructive activities.

The First Lady also cautioned against religious and ethnic divisions, urging Christian and Muslim youths to see themselves as partners in building Nigeria.

Politicians must not be allowed to exploit religion and ethnicity to create hatred and violence.

She emphasised that both Christianity and Islam are religions of peace and should never justify violence.

Development cannot occur in an atmosphere of killings, rancour and religious intolerance, she stressed.

Tinubu reiterated the administration's commitment to youth welfare through interventions aimed at improving lives and educational opportunities across the country.

Musa represented by his Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence, described youth vulnerability to manipulation as a major national security concern.

He argued that youth empowerment must be treated as a critical national security strategy.

An educated, skilled and economically independent young person is far less likely to fall prey to politicians, criminals and extremist organisations.

The Defence Minister stressed that security is no longer the exclusive responsibility of military, police and security agencies.

No security architecture can succeed without active citizen cooperation.

While armed forces defend territorial integrity and police enforce the law, citizens must play their part.

Young Nigerians are critical components of the country's security architecture, possessing energy, creativity, technological capacity and entrepreneurial potential that could become either assets for national development or tools for instability.

Musa warned that youths recruited into political violence, criminality, drug abuse, violent extremism, cybercrime, ethnic hatred and religious intolerance could inflict serious damage on the country.

An empowered young person is less vulnerable to manipulation.

An educated young person can better distinguish truth from misinformation.

An employed youth has greater opportunity to build rather than destroy.

The minister raised concerns about using drugs and financial inducements to influence young people.

Youths are sometimes given substances including Indian hemp and money before being recruited for various activities, with the objective of weakening their ability to think clearly and make independent decisions.

Temporary financial gains cannot compensate for loss of life, freedom or a promising future, he warned.

Musa redefined national security beyond protecting borders to protecting the Nigerian dream.

Security now encompasses economic, food, energy, cyber, environmental and human security.

Misinformation and disinformation on social media can trigger violence and divide communities within minutes.

Unemployment and economic vulnerability have made many young Nigerians easy targets for criminal and extremist networks.

The country needs a security strategy combining military operations with youth empowerment and social development.

Hard power must combine with soft power, military capability with social development, law enforcement with prevention and security operations with empowerment.

Youths should contribute to national security by refusing to spread unverified information and reporting suspicious activities through lawful channels.

They must reject criminal recruitment, cultism, drug abuse and all forms of violence.

Musa identified the battle for young Nigerians' minds as one of the country's biggest security challenges.

Criminal and extremist organisations exploit poverty, frustration, grievances and misinformation to recruit followers.

Nigeria must provide better alternatives through education, employment, innovation and mentorship.

The Defence Minister urged youths to embrace emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, robotics, engineering and software development.

Nigeria must move beyond being a technology consumer and develop young innovators capable of solving the country's security and developmental challenges.

Young Nigerians developing technology to detect criminal networks, protect critical infrastructure and secure digital systems contribute directly to national security.

Musa urged families, churches, schools, youth organisations, the private sector and government to work together preparing young Nigerians for leadership.