2027: AASU President Makes Case for Paradigm Shift At YPP Nasarawa Stakeholders’ Meeting
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The political atmosphere in Karu, Nasarawa State, reverberated with renewed energy and optimism as the Young Progressives Party (YPP) gathered its members, leaders, and sympathisers for a major stakeholders’ meeting that signalled its determination to reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which drew participants from across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State, was marked by spirited speeches, cross-party solidarity, and a significant declaration, with His Excellency Osisiogu Osikenyi E., the President of the All-Africa Students’ Union (AASU), calling for a paradigm shift, urging older leaders to support and guide the youths in politics.
Osisiogu: “Our Political Destiny Lies in Our Hands”
In an address that stirred the hall with repeated applause, Osisiogu spoke with deep emotion and conviction, blending his continental leadership experience with a call to grassroots awakening.
“With a special reference to God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth… with special respect to our elders who, irrespective of political divide, have chosen to be here with us the young people today, so that we do not go astray… my name is Osisiogu Osikenyi, and presently I serve as President of the All-Africa Students’ Union, AASU, the Student Union for the entire continent of Africa,” he declared.
Having lived in Karu for 13 years, Osisiogu praised the town’s inclusiveness. “Karu is one of the fastest-growing local governments in Nigeria today,” he said. “Most of them stay here, get married, and their children grow up, and they don’t even remember they are not Nigerians. And that is how very hospitable Karu local government has been.”
Urging Nigerian youths to rise above tokenism and embrace peaceful participation in governance, he added: “We as young people of Karu local government and of Nasarawa State have seen other young people in other countries rise up and take their destinies into their own hands. We do not do so through violence. We do so through political expression.”
Decrying exclusionary practices of older political parties, he commended YPP’s inclusivity, saying that it appears other political parties don’t have enough space for women and persons with disabilities, “and that is why we are very grateful to the national leadership of the YPP, led by Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, who has provided the YPP platform for young people across the country. Now, today, it is our turn in Nasarawa.”
On the symbolism of YPP’s logo, he said: “The logo of the party shows the map of Nigeria, and inside it, you see an open door. That is why we say, Bude Kofa Ga Kowa—open doors for all. It is an open door for young people, for deprived groups, for women, for persons with disabilities, even for elders who feel it is time for the young people.”
His remarks ended with a rallying call: “From now to the next one year and more, we are going to see young people in their 20s and 30s aspiring to go to the House of Assembly and the House of Representatives. Other states are doing it. We want Nasarawa not to be left behind… The only way to express ourselves is to quietly go and get our voters’ card. Let all of us make sure we get our voters’ card, and also listen to the manifesto of everybody so that the votes in 2027 will reflect the true interests of the people.”
YPP National Leadership: “We Have Waited Long Enough”
The national leadership of YPP, represented by Engr. Promise Nwadigos, Deputy National Technical Adviser, carried the same message of urgency and empowerment.
Speaking on behalf of the National Chairman, Bishop Emmanuel Amakri, Nwadigos declared: “With the beautiful faces I’ve seen here this morning, it shows that the youth will rise again. Year in and year out, they say we are the future leaders of tomorrow. But when it’s time to give us space at the table, they tell us to wait. And we have waited long enough.”
He stressed that the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) is the most powerful tool for change: “The youths are very aggrieved. But you cannot do it by holding gun and knife; it is with your PVC. As registration is going on now, you try and register to get your PVC. It is not a violent thing. It is a strategic movement.”
Importantly, Nwadigos highlighted inclusiveness beyond generational politics: “Please do not say YPP is a party for young people. We want the fathers to support us. Love us. Take us as your children. And also tell us what you want us to do when we get there. Together we will win this battle.”
Stakeholders Speak Out
Some of the participants at the sidelines reinforced the urgency of political renewal in the country.
One of them, Idris Alhassan, expressed optimism: “My greater hope is for YPP to take over Nigeria come 2027. I’m calling on all young people in Nigeria to come join hands together to ensure that we move Nigeria forward. This is our fight. This is our war. Let’s fight it together and let’s win together.”
On his part, Hon. Abba Yahaya from Wamba Local Government, though an APC member, praised YPP’s mobilisation and criticised transactional politics.
He said, “The youths should wake up. Stay away from this politics of hundred naira, two, two thousand naira. These big shots will come with big jeeps, give you tokens, and disappear. From Wamba to here, I bought fuel N25,000 to get to Karu, not even Abuja. Can we continue like this? I will support a candidate with whom my children will have a future, irrespective of political party.”
He also dismissed partisan rigidity, saying that “No political party is a Church or Mosque. If I vote for a candidate in party J, that does not mean I am no longer a Muslim. I will vote a credible candidate irrespective of party.”
Comrade Jonah Umaru, a Karu-based YPP stakeholder, who spoke on the vision for the state, said, “We’re actually here to familiarise with other local government stakeholders in the state. The vision is to ensure that we bring change to Nasarawa State. And the change will start with YPP, and we are trusting God that even to the level of governorship election our party will emerge victorious.”
Adding a personal touch to the deliberations, Hajia Hadiza Inuwa Garga, a former neighbour of Osisiogu, told journalists that her presence was a matter of loyalty and conviction.
“I’m here for the President of AASU, being a very good neighbour with a very good heart. We lived as one when we were in the same compound. You won’t differentiate who is a Muslim from who is a Christian because we treated ourselves as one. He is one of the people that laid a good example in the compound.
“He always respects neighbours and his good habits made me to come here for him. This is because he is interested in politics and I believe that when he gets there he will do justice. He’s going to be a good leader for everyone. That’s why I am here to support him. I have so much respect for him”, Hajia Hadiza Inuwa Garga added.
Recalling a specific incident, she said: “I can remember there was a time he was having his child dedication in the compound and he invited us. We were there. His people were there, including politicians and other people from Abuja. Yet he had time to come down and served us who were his neighbours. He made sure all the neighbours were served well first before he started attending to other people. He is very good. The way he is now, he can shop anywhere in Abuja. He can go to the big malls to shop. But I have a small store and he would leave all of the big malls come down to my shop and buy from me, supporting his own neighbours.”
On Osisiogu’s future in politics, she added: “So I believe he is going to be a good leader. He is going to be a good leader that will show an example, inshallah. So we are happy for this movement and we are with him.”
On her advice to the stakeholders, Hajia said, “My advice to the stakeholders is that they should move with him. It may not be that easy for now to join politics as a young person. He needs many things, especially financially. So, the stakeholders should be patient. There is a time to reap. And when he is there, he is going to remember everybody, but not just for them but for the sake of our future.”
Repositioning for 2027
With chants of “Gbosa” for the hospitality of Karu and the people of Nasarawa echoing in the hall, the meeting ended on a high note.
The YPP stakeholders emphasised that their movement must remain youth-driven but inclusive of elders, women, and persons with disabilities, presenting itself as a credible alternative to the mainstream parties.
Summarising the spirit of the event, Osisiogu concluded by warning that “It is going to be self-destruction if any young person in Nasarawa State does not have his or her voters’ card. Our message is Bude Kofa Ga Kowa—open doors for all. The YPP is a safe platform for every young Nigerian who wants to build a political future. The door is open, and it brings with it fresh air, fresh opportunities, and a new beginning.”
As the gathering dispersed, one clear message was that the countdown to 2027 has begun, and the Young Progressives Party is determined to be at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic rebirth.
