The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), South-East Zone, has warned politicians against electoral malpractice ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging young voters to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to reject leaders they consider incompetent.
The NYCN South-East Vice-President, Dr Atigwe Ifeanyi, made the call on Monday at a press briefing in Enugu, where he discussed lessons from the recent Osun governorship election and preparations for the 2027 polls.
Ifeanyi urged youths across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to take an active role in the electoral process and make decisions based on candidates’ competence, character and track records.
He said the Osun election demonstrated the importance of credible elections in allowing citizens to freely choose their leaders.
The NYCN leader commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts and praised President Bola Tinubu for allowing democratic institutions to operate without undue interference from the Presidency.
He, however, warned politicians against depending on electoral manipulation, intimidation, inducement or rigging to gain political power.
Ifeanyi said politicians seeking elective positions should present their records to voters and allow the electorate to assess their achievements, failures and plans for the future.
He urged youths to obtain, protect and properly use their PVCs, announcing that the council would begin grassroots advocacy through its “Operation Use Your PVC Well” campaign.
According to him, the campaign will educate young people about their political rights and responsibilities, while encouraging them to participate meaningfully in elections.
Ifeanyi stressed that youths should vote for candidates capable of delivering accountability, good governance, security, economic opportunities and infrastructure, rather than choosing candidates solely because of their political parties.
He urged young voters to be willing to remove non-performing leaders through the ballot box and support candidates with proven records and a genuine commitment to public service.
The NYCN South-East Vice-President also called on INEC to improve its electoral processes, technology, transparency and institutional independence ahead of the 2027 elections.
He warned politicians planning to manipulate the polls that youths would oppose electoral malpractice through legitimate democratic means.
Ifeanyi emphasised that the council’s resistance would not involve violence, but would be expressed through PVCs, civic participation, lawful advocacy and collective voting.
The NYCN also appealed to the South-East Development Commission to prioritise infrastructure renewal, economic empowerment, reconstruction and sustainable development across the region.
Ifeanyi said the 2027 elections should signal a departure from what he described as “politics of sentiments” and personality-driven politics.
He called for a political culture centred on competence, character, capacity and measurable performance, stressing the need to move from promises and personalities to tangible results.
