Evidence abounds that Nigerian youths have been impoverished by the ruling elite. Sadly, many have become comfortable serving as errand boys to politicians, reduced to performing such tasks as projection in exchange for few cash or favour that does not fit such task. This embarrassing trend has kept young Nigerians from being the true agents of change they were meant to be.
It is disturbing to see online loyalists of the APC, especially those of a certain Minister who is nursing a gubernatorial ambition, celebrating the disbursement of ₦12.5 million to the party’s media unit. The unit, made up mostly of young people, has been turned into a propaganda team rather than a platform for enlightenment and political accountability. Well, it was not that I expected much more than than the low performance from them.
Despite the APC government’s attempts to silence the public through efforts like the now-defunct social media regulation bill, the same party now recognises the power of social media when it suits their political goals as is customary. The ₦12.5 million donation from the Minister is obviously not an act of generosity but a calculated move to activate his online army ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election. Like a Greek gift, the money is meant to put the Oyo APC media team, largely composed of youths, to work for his ambition.
Meanwhile, Adelabu’s record as Minister of Power reveals misplaced priorities. Under his watch, the country remains trapped in darkness, with citizens enduring endless blackouts, rising tariffs, and decaying infrastructure. Unfortunately, instead of tackling these challenges, the minister seems more concerned with building a political image. The ₦12.5 million gift is not philanthropy but a political investment; an attempt to weaponise youths for the purpose of spreading propaganda and painting him as Oyo State’s saviour.
Unlike his illustrious grandfather, Adelabu lacks a clear vision for progress. His ambition appears driven not by service but by an insatiable thirst for power which he also acknowledged. He has failed to demonstrate capacity in his current national role, yet seeks to govern a complex State like Oyo.
Just recently, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, which is the country’s premier teaching hospital located in the Minister’s home-State was plunged into darkness. News reports linked the power cut to accumulated debt owed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). However, regardless of the reason, it remains a national embarrassment that such a critical institution could be crippled by electricity failure under the watch of an Oyo-born Minister of Power. It is actually not an isolated case. One would have expected his prompt intervention, given the hospital’s importance and location. Instead, the silence was deafening while patients died and suffered in darkness for 109 days before he eventually intervened after being called out.
The situation at UCH exposes the hypocrisy of political leaders such as Adelabu who prioritise campaign optics over real governance. It also questions Adelabu’s leadership capacity and sense of responsibility. If he cannot ensure stable power in his own State or intervene promptly in such a crisis, how can he manage the affairs of an entire State?
As Oyo APC’s online loyalists prepare for their “dry-cleaning” assignment, they must be ready to tell the electorates what tangible achievements Adelabu has recorded as Power Minister. How many communities have gained electricity under his watch? What progress has been made in expanding generation or transmission capacity? What policies has he initiated to harness Nigeria’s vast renewable energy potential? Without credible answers to these, no amount of social media propaganda can redeem his image.
It is painful that Nigerian youths who should be at the forefront of accountability and innovation are being mobilised as tools by politicians who exploit their economic vulnerability. The ₦12.5 million disbursement to Oyo APC’s media arm reflects a larger problem which is the manipulation of youth aspirations by those who see them as expendable instruments for political gain.
True empowerment does not come from handouts or temporary stipends but from policies that create sustainable opportunities and access to resources. And, until Nigerian youths reject this culture of dependency and reclaim their place as drivers of national transformation, they will remain pawns on the political chessboard.
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The time has come for the youth to rise beyond tokenism and propaganda. They must question those who exploit them under the guise of empowerment, challenge failed leaders seeking second chances, and demand governance that delivers real change. History will neither be kind to a generation that traded its voice for handouts, nor to leaders who thrived on youth manipulation.
As 2027 approaches, the choice before Nigerian youths, especially in Oyo State, is clear; remain cyber mercenaries for failed politicians or become defenders of truth, accountability, and genuine progress. Notwithstanding Adelabu’s Greek gift to his people, what we should worry about even more is what becomes of Oyo State if he eventually wins the gubernatorial race.
Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI) writes from Ibadan, Nigeria
