S’East youths vow to reject bad leaders

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) South-East Zone has issued a strong call to action for young people, urging them to actively participate in the electoral process and reject incompetent leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The era where politicians rely on electoral manipulation, intimidation, inducement or rigging to secure political power must come to an end.

NYCN South-East Vice-President Dr. Atigwe Ifeanyi stressed the importance of using Permanent Voter's Cards (PVCs) effectively. He warned politicians against electoral manipulation, stating, “The era where politicians rely on electoral manipulation, intimidation, inducement or rigging to secure political power must come to an end.” Ifeanyi commended President Bola Tinubu for allowing democratic institutions to function without interference and praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts in recent elections, citing the Osun governorship election as an example of voters freely determining their leaders.

“The people are watching and the youths are also watching, as the era of taking the people’s mandate for granted is over,” Ifeanyi declared. He advised politicians seeking office to present their performance records and allow the electorate to assess their achievements and future plans. The council is launching its “Operation Use Your PVC Well” campaign to educate young voters on their political rights and responsibilities, emphasizing that the PVC is a powerful tool for change.

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

The NYCN urged youths in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states to obtain, protect, and wisely use their PVCs. They should vote for candidates demonstrating accountability, good governance, security, economic opportunities, and infrastructure development, rather than adhering strictly to party lines. Ifeanyi called on INEC to bolster its processes, technology, transparency, and institutional independence to ensure credible elections in 2027, warning that youths would resist any attempts at electoral malpractice.

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Your PVC is not merely a card. It is your instrument of political participation and power to change bad leadership and enthrone good leadership.