As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum across the country, Nigerian comedian and content creator, Ernest Tedjeye Oruses, popularly known as HK Chairman, has cautioned youths against allowing politicians to recruit them for electoral violence, political thuggery and other criminal activities.

 

Oruses gave the warning during the celebration of his 30th birthday anniversary in Ughelli town, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, where he used the occasion to reflect on his journey in life and encourage young Nigerians to make responsible choices that would safeguard their future.

 

The comedian particularly condemned the involvement of youths in electoral offences such as ballot-box snatching, intimidation of voters and disruption of the electoral process, describing such acts as inimical to democratic development and national peace.

 

According to him, the 2027 elections should not become another opportunity for politicians to exploit the vulnerability and youthful energy of Nigerians for their personal political interests.

 

He urged young Nigerians to reject attempts by politicians to use them as instruments of violence, warning that those who allow themselves to be recruited for political violence could ultimately be abandoned after elections.

 

Oruses, who reflected on his 30 years of life, said reaching the milestone had strengthened his conviction that young people must take deliberate steps to build meaningful futures for themselves rather than surrendering their lives and aspirations to the interests of politicians.

 

He advised youths to resist what he described as the temptation of being “used and dumped,” stressing that political actors who encourage young people to commit crimes during elections may not be available to protect them when they face the consequences of their actions.

 

He said: “It is time for youths to refuse to surrender themselves to the negativities of politicians and avoid being used and dumped.”

 

The entertainer maintained that participating in political thuggery does not only endanger the lives and futures of those involved but also weakens democratic institutions and threatens the stability of society.

 

He specifically warned against the practice of youths being mobilised to snatch ballot boxes or disrupt voting, stressing that such actions deprive citizens of their constitutional right to freely choose their leaders.

 

Rather than allowing themselves to be recruited for violence, Oruses urged Nigerian youths to channel their energy, creativity and talents into legitimate and productive ventures capable of improving their lives and contributing to national development.

 

He noted that Nigerian youths constitute a significant force in the country’s social, economic and political development, adding that their numerical strength and talents should be deployed toward building a peaceful and prosperous nation.

 

The comedian further called on young Nigerians to understand that political participation should go beyond serving as foot soldiers for politicians, urging them to engage in politics responsibly, hold leaders accountable and participate in the electoral process without compromising democratic values.

 

He stressed that the future of the country belongs largely to the younger generation and that youths must therefore avoid actions that could mortgage their future or plunge communities into violence.

 

He urged youths to protect their lives, dignity and future by refusing to participate in criminal activities disguised as political mobilisation, while encouraging them to pursue legitimate opportunities in entertainment, entrepreneurship, technology, education, sports and other productive fields.

 

The birthday celebration, therefore, provided the entertainer not only an opportunity to mark three decades of his life but also a platform to advocate responsible citizenship and peaceful democratic participation among Nigerian youths.

 

He maintained that Nigeria could only achieve sustainable development when its young population rejects violence and chooses constructive engagement, adding that the protection of democracy should be regarded as a collective responsibility of all citizens.

 

Oruses ultimately called on young Nigerians to ensure that the 2027 electoral cycle is characterised by peaceful participation, issue-based politics and respect for the rule of law, rather than violence and criminality.

 

He said youths must recognise that their lives and future are more valuable than whatever temporary benefits politicians may offer them during election campaigns.