By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
A pressure group, Cross River Youth in Politics for Good Governance, has called on Governor Bassey Otu to help transition youthful political appointees in his administration into elective offices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group said the era of political dominance by a few wealthy and elderly politicians must give way to a more inclusive, youth-driven leadership recruitment process across the state.
Chairman of the group, Jerry Odey, made the call during a news conference at the Ernest Etim NUJ Press Centre in Calabar, where he urged an end to what he described as the continuous “recycling” of long-serving legislators.
Odey described prolonged tenures in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly as undemocratic and likened the practice to tyranny, insisting that legislative offices should not be monopolised by a few individuals for decades.
He urged Governor Otu to deliberately facilitate the movement of young leaders from the ranks of political appointees into elective positions, saying many capable youths remain trapped in support roles while elective seats are repeatedly occupied by the same faces.
“We have found that this idea of elongated tenure, especially for legislators, is more like tyranny,” he said.
“When you stay in the National Assembly or State Assembly for 12, 15, or 20 years, are you the only person there?”
According to him, the recycling of lawmakers allows a few individuals to corner political opportunities, accumulate influence and resources, and gain unfair advantages during election periods, thereby shutting out younger aspirants.
He disclosed that the group is considering pushing for legislation to place a cap on the number of terms lawmakers can serve, in order to prevent the emergence of a permanent political class and create room for fresh leadership.
Ahead of the 2027 polls, the multi-party group, made up of members of the APC, Labour Party, ADC and others, unveiled 14 endorsed young aspirants described as “youth slots” that political parties and stakeholders should prioritise during party primaries.
Among those endorsed are Hon. Oden Ewa for Cross River Central Senatorial District; Chief Henry Dennis Bassey for Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency; Barr. Godwin Offiono for Ogoja/Yala; Hon. Victor Abang for Boki/Ikom; and Dan Obo Jnr for Obubra/Etung.
For the State House of Assembly, the list includes several young women such as Mrs. Jennifer Michael Usani Ibiang for Yakurr 1, Grace Unah for Yala 2, and Phylo Modlin Odu for Boki.
Odey stressed that the Not Too Young to Run Act must go beyond paper promises and become a practical reality through deliberate inclusion, accountability and sustained youth participation in mainstream politics.
