The Urhobo Progressive Youth Association (UPYA) has condemned the reported attack on youths participating in a political campaign walk, warning politicians and their supporters against exposing young people to violence, intimidation and electoral manipulation.
The association described the incident, allegedly carried out by suspected political thugs, as an unacceptable assault on democratic participation, calling on security agencies to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
UPYA President, Comrade Prince Oghenetejiri Ogegere, who made the position of the association known in a statement, said no political ambition was worth the life of any young Nigerian, irrespective of party affiliation.
He warned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of electoral violence, stressing that political differences should never degenerate into physical confrontations, intimidation or bloodshed.
According to him, elections should be contests of ideas, leadership, policies and public confidence rather than battles fought with fists, weapons and violence.
Ogegere said it was particularly disturbing that young people, who should be at the forefront of building a peaceful and progressive society, were increasingly being exposed to political manipulation and violence in the name of elections.
He declared that the death or injury of any youth in the course of political activities was a tragedy that could never be justified by electoral victory.
“No election is worth the death of a youth, and no political victory is worth the destruction of another person’s future,” he said.
The UPYA president called on security agencies to investigate the reported attack, identify the perpetrators and ensure that they face the full weight of the law.
He also urged political parties and candidates to caution their supporters, publicly reject political thuggery and demonstrate commitment to peaceful campaigns and elections.
Ogegere further appealed to youths across political divides to exercise restraint, resist political exploitation and recognise that their lives, dignity and future were more important than the temporary interests of politicians.
He said political leaders and stakeholders must create an atmosphere where citizens could freely express their political opinions, participate in campaigns and support candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation or violence.
“Politicians may disagree today and reconcile tomorrow, but a young person who loses his or her life to political violence will never return to enjoy the future that was taken away,” he stated.
He urged youths to understand that political loyalty should not translate into hostility towards fellow citizens, noting that Nigerians could belong to different political parties, support different candidates and hold divergent opinions while remaining united by their common humanity.
Reaffirming the association’s commitment to youth empowerment, unity and progressive development, Ogegere said UPYA would continue to advocate a society where young people serve as agents of positive change rather than instruments of destruction.
He urged political actors to embrace dialogue, tolerance and peaceful political engagement, insisting that peace must take precedence over personal and political ambitions.
“Our lives matter. Our future matters. Our democracy matters. And peace must always come before political ambition,” he said.
