NYCN rallies support for young political aspirants in Cross River ahead 2027

 The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River State chapter, has called for stronger support for young political aspirants seeking elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections

By Victoria Omini- CALABAR 

The call was made during the “Not Too Young To Lead Couch Session” organised by the council on Tuesday at the Senator Prince Bassey Otu Youth House in Calabar.

Speaking at the event, the Cross River State Chairman of the NYCN, Emmanuel Olayi, said the programme was initiated to encourage youth participation in governance and create opportunities for interaction between aspiring leaders and young people across the state.

Olayi explained that the initiative followed a statewide youth engagement tour carried out by the council across the 18 local government areas of the state.

According to him, the campaign was built around the belief that young people possess the capacity to provide leadership and deliver results if given the opportunity.

He said, “The future is now and nobody is too young to lead. For every young person who desires to run for office, it is an investment into the future.”

The youth leader disclosed that the council had proposed what he described as “leadership subsidy” to support young aspirants contesting elective positions, noting that many youths often struggle financially while competing with established politicians.

He, however, clarified that the event was not organised to endorse any aspirant but to provide a platform for engagement and mentorship.

“As far as anybody may be tempted to say they were endorsed by the Youth Council, this is not an endorsement meeting. It is an interaction that will help both the aspirants and the youth community,” he added.

Among the aspirants who participated in the session was Phylo Modlin Odu, an aspirant for the Boki II State Constituency seat in the Cross River State House of Assembly.

Addressing participants, Odu said leadership should remain people-oriented and accessible.

She said, “Public office is meant for public service. Whenever I get into any office, appointive or elective, I want to demystify the importance attached to public office and make governance closer to the people.”

Odu further promised inclusive representation for youths, women and the elderly if elected, stressing that governance should accommodate all groups within society.

She also urged young people to pay closer attention to government policies and legislative processes, noting that many citizens benefit from programmes without understanding the role of legislation in making them possible.

Also speaking, the Special Assistant to Governor Bassey Otu on Youth Initiatives, Monitoring and Delivery, Kenneth Kajang Neji, said the administration had prioritised youth inclusion in governance.

According to him, more than 75 per cent of appointees in the current administration are young people.

Neji added that the government had empowered hundreds of youths through various intervention programmes and would continue to monitor beneficiaries to ensure accountability and effectiveness.