By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has charged youths in the state to take an active role in shaping the political future of the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Hyacinth Alia gave the charge on Thursday while inaugurating the Renewed Hope Youth Engagement Coordinating Office in Benue.
He urged the youths to participate in politics with discipline, patriotism and respect for democratic values.
Alia warned that youth mobilisation must not be reduced to election-day activities, but should involve engaging communities, identifying their concerns and providing solutions that would strengthen the relationship between government and citizens.
He cautioned the youths against hate speech, misinformation, extremism and political violence, saying their growing influence in the political process should be used to promote peace and democratic development.
The governor said the predominantly youthful population of Benue represented a major asset to the state, stressing that government remained committed to creating opportunities for young people through education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, employment, innovation and political participation.
He charged the newly inaugurated office to build an inclusive, grassroots-driven structure that would extend to every local government area, town and village and also reach people who had become politically disillusioned.
Alia said political appointments should be regarded as responsibilities rather than privileges, urging the chairman and members of the executive committee to earn public confidence through commitment, good conduct and measurable results.
He described the chairman of the office, Fidelis Sunungu, as capable of providing the leadership needed to organise and mobilise young people across the state.
The governor urged the team to ensure that mobilisation ahead of 2027 remained peaceful, fact-based and persuasive, with emphasis on government policies and achievements rather than inflammatory rhetoric.
He said the office should become a centre for ideas, youth engagement and leadership development capable of producing politically conscious, intellectually prepared and socially responsible young leaders.
Alia said the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by the ability of the team to listen to young people, give them a voice and empower them to contribute meaningfully to society.
