From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

TheNational Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), South East Zone, has urged youths in the region to prepare to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to elect competent and credible leaders in the 2027 general elections.

The council said the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election had demonstrated the power of the ballot and should serve as a lesson to political leaders across the country, particularly in the South East.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the Vice President of NYCN, South East Zone, Dr. Henry Atigwe, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President Bola Tinubu for allowing the electoral process to take its course without what he described as undue interference.

Atigwe said the Osun election had rekindled hope that Nigerians could freely determine their leaders through their votes.

“The recent developments surrounding the Osun gubernatorial election have, once again, demonstrated the importance of allowing the people to freely determine who governs them through their votes,” he said.

He added that the development was not only about Osun State, but a message of hope for a stronger democracy where the ballot, rather than political influence, determines who gets elected.

The NYCN leader urged politicians in the South East to learn from Osun and abandon electoral manipulation, intimidation, inducement, and other practices capable of undermining the will of the electorate.

“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.

Ifeanyi urged political office seekers to present their records before the electorate and allow the people to assess their performance, competence, and integrity.

“Leadership must be earned through competence, integrity, service, and the confidence of the people, not through electoral manipulation,” he said.

He also called on youths across the five South East states to obtain, protect, and use their PVCs wisely, describing the voter card as a major instrument of political participation.

“Your PVC is not merely a card. It is your instrument of political participation and power to change bad leadership and enthrone good leadership. It is your voice at the ballot box that will determine your future, so be wise,” he said.

The NYCN vice president directed youth leaders across the zone to commence grassroots advocacy for what he called Operation “Use Your PVC Well”, aimed at educating young people on the need to make informed choices at elections.

He said voting should go beyond party loyalty, urging youths to consider the character, capacity, competence, and track record of candidates before casting their votes.

Atigwe further urged the youths to vote out non-performing leaders through lawful and democratic means while supporting candidates with demonstrable records of good governance. He commended youth leaders in the South East for their efforts in promoting justice, equity, and the interests of the region, urging them to remain united and continue to pursue their demands through constitutional means.

The council also called on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to meet the expectations of the people by driving development, reconstruction, economic empowerment, and infrastructure renewal across the region.