Northern, Southern Youths Sign Peace Accord In Kaduna Ahead of 2027 Elections
Youths from Nigeria’s northern and southern regions on Saturday gathered in Kaduna, where they signed a peace accord aimed at strengthening national unity and presenting a united front to boost their participation in the country’s political and economic development.
The meeting, which took place at the historic Arewa House, Kaduna, was organised by the National Youth Alliance and drew youth representatives from the South-East, South-South and South-West, alongside their counterparts from the North.
The event culminated in the signing of a peace pact titled “The Birthing of a New Nigeria”, with participants committing to reject ethnic and religious divisions and to speak collectively in the interest of national cohesion and democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nigeria has long witnessed youth mobilisation along ethnic, regional and religious lines, a trend that often intensifies during election periods. Political actors have frequently been accused of exploiting socio-economic challenges facing young people such as unemployment, insecurity and poverty to fuel division and unrest, especially in the run-up to elections.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chairman of the NYA (North), Abubakar Mohammed-General, decried what he described as years of manipulation of youths by political elites for personal gain. He said young Nigerians had been deliberately divided through misinformation, turning them into tools for conflict rather than partners in development.
“For decades, politicians and elites have used us to gain power and relevance. They divided us along ethnic and religious lines, spreading fake news and misinformation so we would see one another as enemies,” he said.
Speaking for the southern delegates, the Vice-Chairman of the NYA (South), Meshack Onyeche, insisted that Nigeria’s unity was non-negotiable, stressing that youths across the country had resolved to reject divisive narratives.
“Nigeria cannot be divided. It is our country, and nobody can tear it apart,” Onyeche said.
He added that young people had suffered most from political instability, economic hardship and social dislocation, often being exploited to advance narrow political and economic interests.
Earlier, the Convener of the National Youth Alliance, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, traced the group’s origins, noting that it initially sought registration as a political party but was denied by the Independent National Electoral Commission under its former leadership.
“Rather than give up, we continued our programmes and eventually evolved into a movement,” Abbas said.
He expressed concern over what he described as the long-standing deception of youths by leaders who, he claimed, prioritised personal and family interests over national development.
In recent years, calls for national unity have intensified amid rising insecurity, economic hardship and concerns about Nigeria’s democratic future. Youth groups across the country have increasingly embraced dialogue, unity and collective political engagement, arguing that young Nigerians must rise above regional loyalties to help shape national leadership and policy.
The peace accord signed in Kaduna comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, amid fears that divisive rhetoric and identity politics could once again be exploited. The agreement represents a broader effort by youth leaders to prevent a recurrence of past tensions by promoting cooperation, mutual understanding and a common voice among Nigeria’s young population.
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