The National Youth Council of Nigeria, South-East Zone, has warned politicians against electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 elections, urging youths to use their Permanent Voter Cards to reject incompetent leaders.
The NYCN South-East Vice-President, Dr Atigwe Ifeanyi, stated this on Monday during a press briefing in Enugu on lessons from the recent Osun governorship election and preparations for the 2027 polls.
While urging young Nigerians across the five states to participate actively in the electoral process and make informed choices based on candidates’ competence, character and track record, Ifeanyi noted that the Osun election had demonstrated the importance of allowing voters to freely determine who governs them through credible elections.
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for its efforts and praised President Bola Tinubu for allowing democratic institutions to function without undue interference from the Presidency.
He warned politicians against relying on electoral manipulation to secure political power.
“The era where politicians rely on electoral manipulation, intimidation, inducement or rigging to secure political power must come to an end.
“Today, we are saying clearly that the people are watching and the youths are also watching, as the era of taking the people’s mandate for granted is over,” he said.
The NYCN leader urged politicians seeking elective offices to present their records before the electorate and allow voters to assess their performance.
“Every politician seeking public office must present his or her scorecard before the electorate. Let the people examine what you have achieved, what you have failed to achieve, and what you intend to do differently,” he said.
Ifeanyi called on youths in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to obtain, protect and use their PVCs wisely.
He announced that the council would commence grassroots advocacy under its “Operation Use Your PVC Well” campaign to educate young voters on their political rights and responsibilities.
“Your PVC is not merely a card. It is your instrument of political participation and power to change bad leadership and enthrone good leadership,” he said.
He urged youths to vote for candidates who could provide accountability, good governance, security, economic opportunities and infrastructure, rather than voting solely along party lines.
“We must be bold enough to vote out non-performing leaders and vote in candidates with demonstrable records of better performance and genuine commitment to public service,” he said.
Ifeanyi also called on INEC to strengthen its processes, technology, transparency and institutional independence ahead of 2027.
He warned politicians planning to rig elections to reconsider their ambitions, saying the youths would resist electoral malpractice through lawful democratic participation.
“Any political leader whose strategy for achieving power depends on rigging or subverting the will of the electorate should reconsider such a political ambition,” he said.
He added that the youths would not resort to violence but would use their votes and civic participation to influence political outcomes.
“Our resistance will be through our PVCs, our civic participation, lawful advocacy and our collective votes,” he said.
The NYCN also urged the South-East Development Commission to focus on infrastructure renewal, economic empowerment, reconstruction and sustainable development in the region.
Ifeanyi said the 2027 elections should mark a shift from “politics of sentiments” and personality to politics based on competence, character, capacity and measurable performance.
“We must 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,” he said.
