2027: Nigeria Risks Deeper Crisis If Youths Remain Divided, Otiti Warns

By Our Correspondent

The National President of the Guild of Online Media and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG), Comr. Akpovoke Otiti, has warned that Nigeria may face a deeper governance crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections if citizens, particularly young people, fail to unite in demanding accountability and responsible leadership.

Otiti, who spoke on the state of the nation, expressed concern over what he described as growing divisions among Nigerians and the silence of individuals and groups expected to hold public office holders accountable.

According to him, the country’s quest for good governance will remain elusive as long as citizens continue to focus on ethnic, religious and political differences instead of pursuing collective national interests.

He noted that meaningful progress can only be achieved when Nigerians speak with one voice against bad governance, corruption, insecurity and policies that undermine the welfare of the people.

“As long as Nigerians continue to fight among themselves, nothing will change. As long as those who are supposed to challenge bad governance remain silent, we will not achieve the desired good governance. The youths must unite for a common cause and place the nation’s interest above every other consideration,” he said.

The media executive stressed that young people constitute the largest segment of the country’s population and possess the capacity to influence the nation’s political and economic direction if properly mobilised.

He lamented that many youths have become distracted by political, ethnic and sectional interests, thereby weakening their collective ability to demand reforms and hold leaders accountable.

Otiti warned that failure to build a united front ahead of the 2027 elections could worsen the country’s socio-economic challenges, including unemployment, poverty, insecurity and poor public service delivery.

He therefore urged Nigerian youths, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to embrace unity, civic participation and constructive engagement in the democratic process to ensure a better future for the country.

“The future of Nigeria depends largely on the willingness of its citizens, especially the youth, to rise above divisions and work together for national development. If we fail to do so, the country may witness a more difficult situation by 2027,” he added.