LAFIA: Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a growing trend has emerged in Nasarawa State as youths trek long distances to publicly demonstrate solidarity with political aspirants, sparking widespread debate over its implications for youth welfare and democratic values.
Across several communities, images and videos circulating on social media show mostly young men walking for hours and sometimes days under harsh weather conditions in what supporters describe as acts of loyalty and sacrifice.
However, critics argue that the development raises serious concerns about youth priorities, economic hardship, and the nature of political mobilisation in the state.
Speaking with DAILY POST, some residents said the trend reinforces negative stereotypes about Nigerian youths. A resident, Ekka Egbi Phillip, said the energy expended on political treks could be better channelled into education, skills acquisition, or entrepreneurship.
Others, however, view the treks as a coping mechanism amid economic hardship. One resident, who requested anonymity, said many youths participate with the expectation of material rewards such as cash, motorcycles, or political appointments.
“This has become one of the fastest ways for young people to make money,” he said, noting that survival pressures make the incentives difficult to resist.
Political analysts warn that transactional support could weaken democratic accountability. According to them, when loyalty is rewarded with gifts, beneficiaries may feel constrained from questioning leaders or demanding good governance.
Concerns have also been raised about the impact on internal party democracy. Some residents fear that public displays of trekking are being prioritized over structured processes such as delegate engagement.
It is now as if trekkers matter more than delegates, one respondent said, reacting to comments by Aminu Mamuda Otaki, who suggested that aspirants unable to inspire trekking may struggle electorally, particularly within the APC.
The debate intensified following a viral video by social commentator Ramlat Al-Ameen, who criticized the trend for sending the wrong message to younger generations. She warned that it promotes proximity to power over hard work, skills, and merit.
Observers say the situation reflects a broader national challenge of redirecting youthful energy from symbolic political gestures to meaningful civic participation and long-term empowerment.
For many in Nasarawa, the concern goes beyond trekking itself to what it represents a political culture that rewards visibility over value and short-term gains over sustainable development.
