Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over growing disillusionment among Nigerian youth, warning that widespread frustration with governance and electoral integrity threatens the country’s democratic future.
In a statement issued Saturday evening following a meeting with youth representatives from the 19 Northern states, led by Alhaji Adamu Bappa Gombe, Atiku lamented the erosion of hope among young Nigerians. He said many now feel their votes no longer count and that poor governance continues to undermine their livelihoods and private enterprises.
“I am extremely concerned at how young Nigerians are losing hope about the future of our country,” Atiku said. “Every time they come to have a conversation with me about bad governance, fraudulent elections, and resultant hardship, I deeply feel sad about the situation.”
The youth delegation reportedly voiced concerns over electoral manipulation and the lack of accountability in public policy, which they say has led to economic hardship and political alienation.
Atiku urged the group not to give in to despair, emphasizing that meaningful change can only be achieved through active participation in the democratic process. He challenged them to mobilize their peers and reverse the trend of voter apathy, which has seen turnout rates stagnate between 25% and 30% in recent election cycles.
“The change they desire cannot be attained by voter apathy,” he said. “I challenged them to make a huge difference by influencing massive participation in 2027.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to democratic reform, vowing to continue efforts to reclaim Nigeria from what he described as “anti-democratic forces.”
The meeting comes amid rising political tension and public dissatisfaction with governance, particularly among younger demographics who have increasingly turned to protest and advocacy in response to perceived systemic failures.
