2027: NYCN South-East Urges Youths to Vote Out Non-Performing Leaders

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), South-East Zone, has urged young Nigerians in the region to make the 2027 general elections a turning point by using their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to demand competent, accountable and performance-driven leadership.

The Council said the outcome and conduct of the recent Osun State governorship election had reinforced the importance of allowing voters to freely determine who governs them, stressing that the lesson should resonate strongly across the South-East.

The Vice President of the NYCN, South-East Zone, Comr. Dr. Atigwe Henry Ifeanyi, made the call during a press briefing on Nigeria’s democratic development and preparations for the 2027 elections.

Atigwe said the South-East could no longer afford a political culture where electoral choices were driven primarily by sentiments, party loyalty, inducement or personality.

According to him, political candidates must be subjected to scrutiny based on their character, competence, capacity and track record before receiving the mandate of the people.

“The people are watching and the youths are also watching. The era of taking the people’s mandate for granted is over,” he said.

‘Your PVC is your political power’

The youth leader urged young people across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to obtain and protect their PVCs and, more importantly, understand the power attached to their votes.

He announced that youth leaders across the five states would be encouraged to commence grassroots mobilisation under the banner “Operation Use Your PVC Well.”

The initiative, he explained, would focus on educating young voters on the need to investigate candidates, examine their records and make informed electoral choices.

Atigwe said the campaign would promote voting for leaders capable of delivering good governance, security, economic opportunities, infrastructure and accountability.

He urged youths not to sell their votes or allow short-term political inducements to determine decisions that could affect their future for years.

Osun election offers lesson for 2027

The NYCN South-East leadership commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts toward strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process and ensuring that citizens’ votes translate into legitimate political mandates.

The Council also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as allowing democratic institutions to function without undue interference from the Presidency.

Atigwe said the significance of the Osun election should not be restricted to the state, but should serve as an indication that Nigeria’s democracy can become stronger when institutions and voters are allowed to play their roles.

He called on INEC to further strengthen its processes, technology, transparency and institutional independence ahead of the 2027 elections.

South-East leaders urged to deliver on development

The Council also challenged the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to meet the expectations of the people by delivering tangible projects capable of addressing the region’s longstanding developmental challenges.

According to Atigwe, the Commission should prioritise infrastructure renewal, reconstruction, economic empowerment and sustainable regional development.

He stressed that residents of the South-East were looking beyond promises and expected measurable outcomes from government interventions.

“The South-East deserves development that can be seen, felt and sustained,” he said.

NYCN rejects violence, backs democratic resistance

As the 2027 elections approach, the Council warned political actors against attempts to manipulate the electoral process or undermine the will of voters.

Atigwe, however, said the youths would not resort to violence or take the law into their hands.

Instead, he advocated lawful civic participation, voter mobilisation, advocacy and the ballot as the legitimate means of challenging poor leadership.

He said the time had come for Nigerians to move from “politics of sentiments to politics of performance; from politics of personality to politics of competence; and from politics of promises to politics of measurable results.”

The NYCN South-East leadership therefore urged young Nigerians to see the 2027 election as an opportunity to redefine political participation in the region.

It called on voters to know the candidates, study their records, ask questions, vote wisely and hold elected officials accountable after elections.

Atigwe said the future of Nigeria’s democracy could not be left solely in the hands of politicians, stressing that citizens must recognise the power of their votes and use it responsibly.

He summed up the Council’s position with a message to young voters: “Our PVC is our voice. Our vote is our power. Our future is in our hands.”