By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
Leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South Local Government Areas, alongside a large number of university students, have rejected the current representation of the constituency at the House of Representatives, citing poor performance and lack of youth inclusion.
The youth leaders also decried what they described as the continued exclusion of younger people from elective positions in the federal constituency, insisting that the time had come for a generational shift in leadership.
Speaking during a joint meeting with student leaders from the three local government areas, the group’s leader, Comrade Sebastian Edet Ekpenyong, a former Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, declared that they would no longer support politicians who had previously represented the constituency.
He said the youths were dissatisfied with what they termed poor democratic dividends and alleged marginalisation of young people in governance and decision-making processes.
According to him, the group has identified Comrade Edem Bassey Dominic as a credible youth leader capable of offering effective and responsive representation at the National Assembly.
Ekpenyong said Dominic’s track record, leadership qualities and accessibility to the people distinguished him from the present representation, adding that the group believes he would be more accountable to the electorate.
He further disclosed that the youth coalition had pooled resources together to purchase the APC nomination form for Dominic ahead of next year’s election and would formally appeal to him to accept the call to contest.
Also speaking, NYCN and student leaders from Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South said they had begun mobilising students and youths across the constituency to create what they described as a major political shift in the coming elections.
Comrade Sandra Effiong of NYCN, Bakassi LGA, said the youths must rise to change the political narrative by supporting a candidate who is accessible, understands their struggles and is willing to identify with their aspirations.
Similarly, Eyo Nsa of Calabar South NYCN said the people were tired of what he described as a representation that had failed to maintain contact with the electorate.
“We are tired of the present representation which does not remember the electorate,” he said.
Speaking for youths and students from Akpabuyo LGA, Comrade Edem Umo Duke stressed the need for greater youth inclusiveness in governance.
“We do not want leaders who are selfish and inaccessible. The youths must be given a voice and an opportunity to lead,” he said.
