RismadarVoice Reporters
September 20, 2026
The Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has warned political leaders against using Nigerian youths as instruments for political violence, saying such practices could undermine the country’s democratic development.
Mr Lamido, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave the warning on Sunday while speaking with journalists at his residence in Dutse, shortly after a colloquium organised to mark his 78th birthday.
He said political leaders should focus on preparing young Nigerians for responsible leadership rather than recruiting them to advance political interests.
“We are abusing our youths. We turn them into political labourers, thugs and praise singers instead of grooming them for leadership,” Mr Lamido said.
According to him, involving young people in election manipulation, online abuse and political violence could have long-term consequences for the country.
“When you use the youth only to rig elections, to insult opponents on social media and to fight your political battles, you are destroying their future,” he said.
Mr Lamido also criticised political leaders who, he said, were influencing young Nigerians in ways that promoted materialism and poor moral values.
He said youths should instead be exposed to political ideology, public service and sacrifice.
“The youth should be taught ideology, sacrifice and service, not how to abuse elders and chase money during elections,” he said.
The former governor said Nigeria’s political and socio-economic future would depend significantly on how young people were mentored.
He recalled the political education he said young leaders received during the First and Second Republics, citing the influence of politicians such as Aminu Kano and Shehu Shagari.
“In the First and Second Republics, leaders mentored us. Aminu Kano, Shehu Shagari and others taught us ideology. Today, what are we teaching the youth?” he asked.
Earlier at the colloquium, held in Dutse, former Kaduna State Governor and former PDP National Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, urged young Nigerians to embrace political ideology and public service.
The event, attended by supporters of Mr Lamido, was themed “Guiding Youths on Political Ideology for Building a New Nigeria.”
Mr Makarfi said politics without ideology would undermine meaningful national development and urged youths to resist attempts by politicians to use them for personal interests.
“Politics without ideology is empty. You must unite, be dedicated and make sacrifices for the development of this country,” he said.
A special lecture was delivered by Auwal Anwar, who called for greater political education and ideological orientation among Nigerian youths.
Mr Anwar said the absence of strong ideological convictions had contributed to a political culture driven largely by immediate material benefits.
A professor at Bayero University, Kano, Kamilu Fagge, also urged political leaders to empower youths with education and knowledge rather than expose them to violence.
“Youths are the engine of any nation. If you misdirect them, you kill the nation,” Mr Fagge said.
Another BUK academic, Akilu Indabawa, advocated the introduction of political education to help young Nigerians understand democratic processes and reduce their vulnerability to political manipulation.
Professor Nu’uman Habib linked drug abuse and political thuggery among youths to what he described as failures of leadership.
Also speaking, Islamic cleric and ADC governorship candidate in Kano State, Ibrahim Khalil, called for greater moral and spiritual guidance for young Nigerians.
“The youth need spiritual and moral guidance. Politics without morality will not take us anywhere,” Mr Khalil said.
The colloquium featured contributions from academics and other participants on political ideology, youth development and the role of young Nigerians in strengthening democracy.
