ABUJA, June 17, 2026 – Nigerians have been encouraged to evaluate political aspirants based on their competence, vision, and ability to deliver good governance rather than relying solely on party affiliations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal was made by the Chairman of the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF), Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa, during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
Yelwa said the next electoral cycle would play a significant role in shaping the country’s future and stressed the need for citizens to make informed decisions when choosing leaders.
According to him, voters should pay close attention to the qualities and capabilities of candidates, noting that no political platform possesses all the solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
He urged Nigerians to become more politically informed and carefully examine the records and leadership potential of those seeking elective positions before casting their votes.
The forum chairman also advised politicians against exploiting the country’s security challenges for political advantage, arguing that such actions could distract from ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability.
He maintained that addressing insecurity should remain a collective national priority rather than a tool for partisan competition, adding that security agencies and relevant authorities should be allowed to perform their duties without undue political interference.
On youth unemployment and empowerment programmes, Yelwa called on governments at all levels to rethink existing strategies, saying many interventions have failed to produce lasting economic benefits.
He observed that some beneficiaries of empowerment schemes often dispose of the tools or equipment provided to them shortly after receiving them, undermining the objectives of such programmes.
To achieve better outcomes, he recommended involving professionals and development experts in designing sustainable youth empowerment initiatives capable of creating long-term opportunities.
Yelwa further expressed the forum’s readiness to collaborate with government institutions in strengthening programmes aimed at improving youth livelihoods and reducing unemployment.
Also speaking, ABMPF board member Alhaji Shu’aibu Mungadi called for stronger regulatory measures to curb the illegal exploitation of mineral resources across several northern states.
He urged the Federal Government to implement tougher oversight mechanisms and prosecute individuals involved in unlawful mining activities, which he described as a growing threat to regional development and security.
Mungadi expressed concern over the continued extraction and smuggling of valuable minerals from states such as Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Benue, Sokoto, Niger, and Nasarawa, alleging that local communities have derived little benefit from the resources.
According to him, illegal mining operations have contributed significantly to insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria, with proceeds from the activities often linked to criminal networks and violence.
He also questioned the level of transparency surrounding revenues generated from the sector, calling for greater accountability in the management of the country’s mineral wealth.
Mungadi stressed that efforts to tackle banditry and other forms of rural insecurity would be more effective if authorities dismantled the illicit economic structures that sustain criminal groups.
He added that the forum remains committed to advocating for the interests of ordinary Nigerians and drawing attention to issues affecting communities impacted by insecurity, poor governance, and economic hardship.