From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Youth and student leaders under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Cross River State have declared that the 2027 general elections will mark a turning point for youth participation in governance, insisting that the time has come for young people to take elective positions and unseat non-performing representatives.
The position was made known during a stakeholders’ meeting involving NYCN officials and student leaders from Calabar South, Akpabuyo and Bakassi Federal Constituency.
Participants at the meeting expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as ineffective representation and a growing disconnect between elected officials and the grassroots.
The group unanimously endorsed Edem Dominic Bassey, stepson of Governor Bassey Otu and currently serving as Special Adviser in the Governor’s Office, as their preferred candidate for future political contests.
Speaking at the event, a grassroots mobiliser, Comrade Sebastian Ekpenyong, said the agitation was driven by widespread feedback from constituents who feel excluded from governance.
“We owe it as a duty to our people to lead them correctly. Once we identify that a path is not working, it is a capital no for us to reinforce failure,” he said.
Ekpenyong lamented that over the past three years, students and youths in the constituency have witnessed a decline in support, including transportation assistance, bursaries and other educational interventions.
He stressed that the situation has made it necessary for young people to rethink their political choices.
“We have listened to our people, and they have made it clear that they feel silenced and left behind. If something has failed, we must be bold enough to say so and chart a new course,” he added.
He further noted that the youth population, if properly mobilised, has the capacity to influence electoral outcomes, expressing confidence that grassroots contributions would be sufficient to fund their political ambitions.
“If the community believes in a cause, even small contributions can add up to something meaningful,” he said.
The stakeholders also emphasised that leadership should be based on competence and integrity rather than family background, noting that the 2027 elections present an opportunity not only for leadership change but also for redefining governance to reflect the aspirations of young people.
In his remarks, Akpabuyo Youth Leader, Comrade Edem Umo-Duke, criticised what he described as a longstanding pattern of political imposition.
“For too long, leaders have been chosen for us. This time, we are choosing for ourselves—leaders who are accessible, accountable, and committed to youth development,” he stated.
Similarly, the NYCN Chairman for Bakassi Chapter, Comrade Sandra Effefiong, decried what she described as a pattern of neglect by elected officials, especially after elections.
“They come during campaigns with promises and small items, but after elections, you cannot reach them. That is not leadership. We want someone we can identify with and who will carry us along,” she said.
Also speaking, a youth leader from Calabar South, Comrade Eyo Nsa, emphasised the need for practical representation that prioritises youth empowerment, education and skills development.
He cited the high cost of professional training, including aviation programmes, as an example of opportunities that remain out of reach for many young people without institutional support.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for unity among youths and a commitment to mobilise effectively ahead of the 2027 general elections.
