As 2027 general election dey near, youths for Nasarawa State don start to trek long-long distance to show support for politicians. Di waka wey many of dem dey do under hot sun and stress don spark serious debate across social media and communities.
For some people, di trekking na loyalty and sacrifice. But for plenty others, e dey show say Nigerian youths dey suffer, dey desperate, and dey find survival inside politics. According to observers, di matter don raise questions about youth priorities, poverty level, and how politicians dey mobilize people with small incentives.
One resident, Ekka Egbi Phillip, talk say di thing dey make Nigerians remember wetin former President Buhari talk when him call Nigerian youths lazy. E believe say all this energy fit enter skills, school, business or better work.
But another resident talk say no be laziness — na survival. According to am, many youths believe say trekking fit bring gift, motorcycle, small money or appointment if politician win. To some people, na fastest hustle wey dey pay pass CV.
Political analysts don warn say this kain political trekking dey weaken democracy, because once politician don pay supporters finish, people no go get mouth question them again when dem fail. Instead of demanding accountability, some people go keep quiet because dem don chop from system.
Some residents talk say di trekking trend don dey overshadow party delegates work. E be like say trekkers come dey more important pass delegates. Politicians no dey convince people with plans again, na who get crowd for road.
READ ALSO: CHRICED don condemn FG over N7trn NNPC debt waiver
One Aminu Mamuda Otaki even talk say:
“Any aspirant wey no fit get people to trek for am no get business for 2026 governorship race. Right now trekkers matter pass delegates.”
Observers dey fear say this thing fit open door for vote-buying and reward-system politics, instead of competence and track record.
A viral video by social commentator Ramlat Al-Ameen come add fire to the matter. She talk say youths dey teach younger people wrong lesson: say connection dey more important pass hardwork and talent.
She talk say:
“We trek to meet politicians, but we no dey trek to meet our potentials.”
“This na country wey trekking fit give you motorcycle, but skills no give you opportunity.”
She end with strong message:
“If trekking dey give job, I for don trek reach 36 states. Na brain and leadership we need, no be legs.”
As election dey approach, Nasarawa people believe say this matter no be about trekking alone — na about wetin e represent: visibility over value, loyalty over competence, and short-term gain over long-term future.
Whether youths continue with trekking or redirect energy into better things fit determine di future of democracy for Nigeria.