Apata Urges Youth to Organise, Join Politics at NYCN Osun Panel

The Osun West Senatorial Candidate, Chief Peter Taiwo Ogundeji Apata, has called on young Nigerians to organise, mobilise, and actively participate in politics to secure leadership positions and drive national development.

Apata made the call on Saturday during  a Panel Session of Youth in Governance Conference 2026, a program organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State chapter, held at Osogbo Grammar School.

Speaking at the event, he stressed that the time for youth leadership is now, urging young people to prepare themselves for political engagement rather than waiting for the future.

“The youth must organise and mobilise themselves to get involved in politics. They are leaders of tomorrow that starts today,” he said.

Apata identified financial constraints as a major barrier preventing young people from contesting for public office. He noted that high nomination fees imposed by political parties have made it difficult for many youths to participate in governance.

According to him, reducing these barriers would create more opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to leadership.

“The barriers should be lowered for youth to serve. Young people must also step forward, organise themselves, and be ready to take up leadership roles,” he added.

He further emphasised that youths have the capacity to bring about positive change if given the opportunity, describing them as the backbone of any functional government.

Apata also encouraged young leaders already in positions of authority to formulate policies that directly impact society, while urging governments at all levels to include more youths in policy-making and implementation processes.

Dignitaries at the event included traditional rulers, the Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Akinyode Oyewusi; Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi Irekandu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Mrs Taiwo Oladunjoye; and Barrister Dimeji Oladayo, an aspirant for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, alongside youth groups from across the state.