According to a report by Punch on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, has called on Nigerian youths to take a more active role in the country’s electoral process ahead of the next general elections.
He made this appeal during a visit to Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he spoke on the sidelines of an academic event organised by the university library.
The programme, known as Reading Time, formed part of activities marking the institution’s annual Library Week.
His remarks focused on the importance of youth participation in governance and the need for greater involvement beyond discussions and theoretical engagement.
Speaking during the event, Momodu emphasized that young people in Nigeria make up a significant portion of the population and therefore have a critical role to play in shaping the country’s political future.
He encouraged them to move beyond conversations about politics and instead engage directly in the electoral process through participation, awareness, and active involvement.
According to him, understanding political dynamics requires more than academic discussions, especially in a country where elections are highly competitive and often influenced by multiple interests.
His comments reflected a broader concern about the level of youth engagement in political activities across the country.
The Ovation publisher also drew from his personal experience as a former presidential aspirant, explaining that his involvement in the political process gave him a deeper understanding of how elections are conducted in Nigeria.
He noted that the practical realities of contesting for political office differ significantly from theoretical expectations.
Based on this experience, he advised young people to prepare for the complexities of political participation, including the need for organization, resilience, and strategic thinking.
His remarks suggested that effective participation in elections requires more than interest, as it involves navigating a system that can be demanding and competitive.
Momodu further described the nature of presidential elections in Nigeria as highly intense, noting that the stakes involved often lead to strong competition among political actors.
He explained that the structure of the political system, where victory can carry significant influence and authority, contributes to the seriousness with which elections are contested.
His comments highlighted the need for young people to understand the environment in which elections take place and to approach their involvement with awareness of the challenges.
He also pointed out that the position of the president in Nigeria carries substantial powers, which makes the electoral process particularly significant.
He said, “When I contested in 2011, that was when I realised that the Elephant head is not for child’s play. Politics, especially the presidential election, is going to be a war. People are going to fight because it’s about winner-takes-all. And the president of Nigeria is probably the most powerful president on earth because nobody can question him. He controls the judiciary, the legislature, the Gen Zs, the city boys and the village boys….See More
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