As political activities gradually build up ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development and Technology Innovation, Hon. Dennis Ogunnaike, has called on youths to conduct themselves responsibly and ethically in their political engagements.
Speaking on Friday at the 3rd Legislative Convergence of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Ogun State Chapter, held in Abeokuta, Ogunnaike cautioned young people against being used by politicians to pursue selfish interests or engage in acts capable of destabilizing the polity.
Delivering his remarks on the theme, “Building a Responsible Generation: How Parental Guidance Shapes Youth Involvement in Politics,” Ogunnaike urged youths to embrace integrity and discipline in their participation, emphasizing that politics itself is not inherently dirty—rather, it is the actions of individuals that corrupt the system.
“Whatever you do in your political engagement, be ethical, be considerate, and be responsible. Take responsibility for your actions because nothing goes for nothing. Everything you do today will come back to you—either as a blessing or a burden for your generation,” he said.
He advised young Nigerians to exercise restraint on social media, avoid spreading misinformation, and desist from smear campaigns that could damage the reputation of others.
Ogunnaike also appealed to politicians to uphold ethics and treat other people’s children with the same care and compassion they would expect for their own.
He reaffirmed that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State remains youth-friendly, responsive, and open to constructive criticism, urging young people to channel their energy towards meaningful engagement and development-driven initiatives rather than online bickering or attacks on leaders.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the governor’s aide stressed the need for youths to take advantage of the ongoing INEC Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and mobilizing others to do the same.
“If you have pigs in politics, you can’t expect anything but dirt,” Ogunnaike stated. “That’s why responsible and professional individuals must get involved—to clean up the system and drive sustainable economic growth.”
He urged youths to leverage their exposure, technological skills, and innovative ideas to shape a better political future for the nation.
“Politics can easily descend into a dirty game if we are not careful,” he added. “But as young people, we must remain grounded in our values. Do not allow anyone to use you as a tool for selfish ambitions. Remember, every action has consequences.”
In his remarks, the National Speaker of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Famoyinbo Oluwasegun, reinforced that youths are agents of change and must be creative, disciplined, and focused on academics while shunning social vices such as cybercrime and online hate speech.
Similarly, the Ogun State Chairman of YAN, Oniyitan Akinbode, commended the state government for its continuous support for youth causes, pledging that Ogun youths would continue to promote constructive engagement and positive civic participation.
The event also featured the induction of new Honorables across the state’s three senatorial districts and the investiture of Barrister Geseire Temile as Matron of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter.
