By Kazeem Waris
A pro-Tinubu civil society organisation, the Renewed Hope Youth Development Initiative (RHYDEI), has announced plans to work with Federal Government agencies to create opportunities for at least one million young Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election.
The organisation, which is campaigning for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, said the initiative would focus on skills acquisition, grants and loans as part of efforts to improve youth economic empowerment before the election.
The group made this known during the official unveiling of RHYDEI and an award ceremony held in Abuja at the weekend.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the initiative said the organisation would partner relevant government agencies to ensure that young people benefit directly from empowerment programmes.
“RHYDEI will partner with Federal Government agencies to ensure that at least one million young people benefit from skills, grants and loans before the 2027 election. We will show them that Renewed Hope is working,” he said.
The organisation also urged young Nigerians to reject vote-buying and avoid allowing financial inducements to determine their electoral choices.
The coordinator warned politicians against exploiting religious and ethnic sentiments to influence voters, saying such tactics could deepen division and threaten national cohesion.
He said RHYDEI would campaign against what it described as political manipulation based on religion and ethnicity.
“We seek balance, not extremes. We don’t like religious fanaticism. We believe God is love, peace and fairness. We hate it when religion is used to fight, judge or create confusion,” he said.
“For us, religion must bring peace, not conflict and violent extremism.”
The group also declared its support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, pledging to mobilise its members both online and offline.
“We will not allow anyone to use dollars or propaganda to pull the President down. We are his foot soldiers. Online and offline, we will stand by and defend him,” the coordinator said.
The initiative was unveiled under the theme, “Consolidating Renewed Hope: Youths Standing for Tinubu 2027.”
RHYDEI said its planned youth empowerment programme would complement the Federal Government’s efforts to address unemployment and expand economic opportunities for young Nigerians ahead of the 2027 polls.
