A coalition of youth leaders and student representatives from across three local government areas has called for a shift in political representation, urging the emergence of a youthful candidate to represent their constituency i fr the Federal Houses meof Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a Press Briefing, Comrade Sebastian Edebeme, a former student leader and grassroots mobilizer, said the decision was driven by years of perceived neglect and exclusion of young people from governance. He noted that students in the constituency had not benefited from budgetary allocations in recent years, a situation he described as unacceptable.
Edebeme, who addressed the audience in a dual capacity as a representative of both a council body and the student community, emphasized that the youth had long been sidelined in decision making processes. He said their collective experience in student leadership and grassroots engagement had exposed them to the challenges faced by their constituents.
He recalled that in the past, students had access to some level of support from both local and federal representatives, but lamented that such support had dwindled significantly in recent years. According to him, many young people can no longer access those in positions of authority, despite having contributed to their emergence.
Edebeme stated that the current agitation was not driven by personal ambition but by a collective resolve to ensure effective representation. He announced that youth leaders and student bodies across the affected local government areas had unanimously called on a young aspirant, Comrade Dominic Farsi, to step forward and contest for the federal seat.
He stressed that the call was not his alone but reflected the unified position of youth leaders including representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria across the three local governments, as well as student union presidents.
Also speaking, a youth representative from one of the local governments highlighted what he described as a recurring pattern where political leaders impose candidates on young people. He said the youth were now determined to break away from that trend by choosing leaders who are accountable to them.
He explained that the movement was rooted in a desire for inclusive governance and effective leadership that prioritizes the needs of students and young people. He added that the coalition believes the proposed candidate possesses the educational background, experience and network required to deliver meaningful representation.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in one of the local government areas, Sandra Effevio, called for unity among young people and urged them to take ownership of the political process. She said the time had come for youths to assert themselves and reject a system where they are only remembered during elections.
Effevio criticized the practice of offering short term incentives to voters during elections, noting that such actions do not translate into sustainable development. She maintained that resources meant for young people must be properly utilized for their benefit.
She encouraged women and other stakeholders to support the movement, stressing that the demand for credible representation transcends gender and requires collective action.
The gathering concluded with a unified call for a new political direction, with participants expressing confidence that youth driven leadership would bring renewed hope and development to the constituency.
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