The idea of youth participation in politics has become a popular part of contemporary political talk in every part of the world except Nigeria and particularly in the Niger Delta where one can note that youth participation in governance often end at the polls and during electioneering campaigns where youths are only used at their own detriments. Apart from the fact that there are little or no consideration for youths’ participation in election, the few opportunities that exist for the youths are also hijacked by the older generation. Although the United Nations defines youth as a person between the age of 15-24, Political parties in Nigeria have redefined this age bracket.  A foremost political Party in the country in recent times elected a 60 years old man as Youth Leader.
The importance of youth to the development of any nation cannot be overemphasized.
The youth constitutes the backbone and future of any nation. It is in recognition of this fact that the African Union developed the African Youth Charter, where it prescribed responsibilities to Member States for the development of youth. The prescription is borne out of the belief that Africa’s renaissance cannot be realized if adequate investment is not made in the youth who constitute about 40 percent of the African population. The key objective of the Charter is to ensure the constructive involvement of Youth in the development agenda of Africa and their effective participation in the debates, politics and decision-making processes in the development of the continent.