Abayomi Susan
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), South-East Zone, has called on youths across the region to prepare to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to elect competent, credible and accountable leaders in the 2027 general elections.
The council said the recent governorship election in Osun State had demonstrated the power of the ballot and should serve as a lesson to political leaders, particularly those in the South-East.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Vice President of NYCN, South-East Zone, Dr. Henry Atigwe, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President Bola Tinubu for allowing the electoral process to proceed without what he described as undue interference.
Atigwe said developments surrounding the Osun election had renewed hope that Nigerians could freely determine their leaders through the ballot.
According to him, the significance of the election extends beyond Osun State, as it sends a strong message about the need to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and ensure that political influence does not override the will of the electorate.
He urged politicians in the South-East to draw lessons from Osun State by rejecting electoral manipulation, intimidation, inducement and rigging, which he said undermine the credibility of elections.
“The era where politicians rely on electoral manipulation, intimidation, inducement or rigging to secure political power must come to an end,” he said.
Atigwe added that youths were increasingly aware of the importance of their votes and would no longer tolerate leaders who take the people’s mandate for granted.
He urged political aspirants to present their records to the electorate and allow voters to assess their competence, character, integrity and capacity to deliver effective governance.
He stressed that leadership should be earned through competence, integrity, service and the confidence of the people rather than electoral manipulation.
The NYCN leader also called on youths across the five South-East states to obtain, protect and effectively use their PVCs, describing the voter card as a crucial instrument of political participation.
He said youths should recognise the power of their votes in determining the quality of leadership and shaping their future.
As part of the mobilisation effort, Atigwe directed youth leaders across the zone to begin grassroots advocacy under the theme, “Operation Use Your PVC Well.” The initiative is aimed at educating young people on the importance of making informed decisions during elections.
He urged youths to look beyond political party affiliations when choosing candidates, advising them to consider the character, competence, capacity and track records of aspirants before casting their votes.
Atigwe further encouraged the electorate to use lawful and democratic means to vote out non-performing leaders while supporting candidates with proven records of good governance.
He commended youth leaders across the South-East for their efforts in promoting justice, equity and the interests of the region, urging them to remain united and pursue their demands through constitutional and democratic channels.
The council also appealed to the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to live up to the expectations of the people by accelerating development, reconstruction, economic empowerment and infrastructure renewal across the region.
