Apostle Johnson Suleman urges Nigerian youths to embrace political inclusion and take ownership of Nigeria’s democratic future at Auchi Youth Summit

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]olitical inclusion Nigerian youths was the rallying cry of Apostle Johnson Suleman as he delivered a compelling address at the maiden Auchi Youth Summit in Edo State.

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Speaking to a packed hall at the Uyi Grand Event Centre in Auchi on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, the outspoken cleric called on young Nigerians to stop being passive spectators in national affairs and instead become the engine room of democracy.

Apostle Suleman, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, reminded the youths that they possess both the numbers and the energy to influence governance in Nigeria.

He noted that the country’s fast-growing youth population stands to be most affected by current and future state policies. This makes their political participation not just desirable, but necessary for sustainable democracy.

Drawing attention to the summit’s theme, From Margins to Mainstream, he described it as both timely and prophetic.

He emphasised that young people must seize the opportunity to shape their future by forming strategic platforms that would galvanise their peers towards meaningful engagement in politics.

“The political inclusion of the youths would, no doubt, ignite a movement that unites the citizens under a banner of empowerment, representation and change,” Suleman said, urging the Auchi youths to become the pioneers of such a movement.

He recalled that despite repeated promises and shifting political landscapes, the voices of young Nigerians remain sidelined.

He urged them to rise above the culture of exclusion and commit to collective political action, stating that their exclusion from decision-making has persisted for too long.

“We are standing on the edge of a new era. For too long, we have been spectators in the theatre of our own destinies,” he declared.

According to the cleric, political inclusion is far more than a right; it is a duty. He said that when morally upright and visionary young people step into governance, they bring much-needed hope and clarity.

However, he warned that political participation does not begin on election day. It starts with proper education, continuous engagement, and unity across ethnic and religious divides.

Suleman stressed that Nigerian youths must not accept the narrative that paints them merely as tools of violence. Instead, they must promote legislation and policies that affirm their rightful place as nation-builders.

For him, the transformation of Nigeria’s political space depends on rejecting apathy and embracing purposeful leadership from within.

“Political inclusion is not merely a privilege. It’s right. It is the bedrock of a democratic society where every youth has the opportunity to participate in shaping the policies that govern our lives,” Suleman affirmed.

He urged the youth of Auchi and across Nigeria to see representation in governance as their responsibility, not a favour granted by the political elite.

The message was clear and unequivocal. Nigerian youths can no longer afford to wait for permission to lead. The time to act is now, and the tools they need education, unity, values, and courage are within reach.