Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has urged Nigerian and African youth to take charge of the continent's political future. Speaking at the 2026 #FixPolitics Africa Conference in Abuja, Ezekwesili emphasized the need for collective action to build a prosperous Africa. The conference, themed "Reimagining Elections in Africa: Restoring Citizens as the True Owners of Power," focused on the future of elections in Africa and the role of citizens in shaping political power and demanding accountable governance.
Ezekwesili challenged Nigerians to vote in their own interests and hold elected officials accountable for delivering good governance. She noted that the influence of money in Nigerian politics could be overcome if citizens recognized their collective strength and became more actively engaged in the democratic process. According to Ezekwesili, citizens must remain vigilant after elections and continuously demand accountability from elected officials.
The former minister stressed that elections should not be treated as a one-day activity, but rather as a sustained process requiring citizen engagement before, during, and after elections. She cited former United States President Thomas Jefferson's observation that "eternal vigilance is the price of freedom," urging Nigerians to join the growing demand for better governance. Ezekwesili expressed confidence that citizens' political consciousness would continue to grow.
Ezekwesili also addressed concerns over alleged attempts by powerful individuals to manipulate the electoral process. She maintained that sovereignty ultimately belonged to the people and urged citizens not to be intimidated by those in positions of influence. The former minister encouraged Nigerians to remember that Nigeria belongs to all of them and that sovereignty belongs to the people.
The Chairman of Bigs Politics Hub, Frank Nweke, said the organization had a responsibility to organize and mobilize citizens around issues affecting the country. Nweke emphasized the need to raise public consciousness, encourage participation in elections, and promote sustained civic engagement beyond the polls. He urged Nigerians to recognize that everyone had a role to play in strengthening the country's democratic process.
The executive director of Fix Politics Africa, Anthony Ubani, said the Africa Conference had evolved over the past four years from an annual platform for political discussions into an initiative seeking to build a broader civic movement. Ubani explained that the conference featured a roundtable of thinkers and experts from across Africa who developed ideas, solutions, and recommendations for advancing the initiative.
The 2026 #FixPolitics Africa Conference aimed to transition from a conference-based platform to a movement capable of taking its recommendations to communities, states, countries, and institutions. The goal was to ensure that the conference resulted in measurable actions and progress that could be presented at the 2027 Africa Conference.
Key points
- Oby Ezekwesili urges African youth to take ownership of the continent's political future.
- The 2026 #FixPolitics Africa Conference aimed to build a broader civic movement.
- Ezekwesili emphasizes the need for sustained citizen engagement in the democratic process.
