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Ukorebi Esien | April 20, 2026
OBUDU – Youth leaders in Cross River State have issued a strong warning against political violence ahead of the 2027 elections, declaring that no political ambition is worth the life of any young person.
The message was delivered during a stakeholder engagement by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State chapter, as part of its ongoing statewide tour aimed at promoting unity, peace, and responsible civic participation among young people.
Speaking during a visit to a traditional institution in Obudu, the State Chairman of NYCN, Emmanuel Olayi, emphasized that youths must resist being used as tools of violence by political actors. He stressed that while young people have the right to support candidates of their choice, such support must be exercised within the confines of the law and without resorting to violence.
“No young person should kill another young person because of someone else’s ambition,” Olayi said. “What we owe any leader is our support, not our lives. We must protect ourselves, our communities, and our future.”
The youth council noted that with young people forming the majority of the population, their role in shaping a peaceful electoral process is critical. The leadership warned that the recurring trend of election-related violence, often driven by youths, poses a serious threat to community stability and development.
As part of its “Future First” campaign, the council is engaging youth leaders, institutions, and community stakeholders across local government areas to reinforce the values of unity and non-violence. The initiative also seeks to create platforms for young people to voice their concerns on development issues and channel them to appropriate authorities.
In his remarks, HRH Chief Felix Abanbeshie Okudare-Paramount Ruler OF Obudu commended the youth leaders for their proactive approach and urged them to intensify grassroots sensitization. He advised that direct engagement, such as town hall meetings and youth conferences, would further strengthen the message of peace and responsible conduct.
The monarch also cautioned young people against allowing themselves to be manipulated by politicians, urging them instead to focus on education, skill development, and lawful participation in governance processes.
The NYCN further revealed plans to monitor ongoing development projects across communities and relay feedback from youths to government and relevant stakeholders, ensuring that grassroots concerns are adequately represented.
Reaffirming their commitment, the youth leaders called on all political actors to prioritize peace and desist from actions that could incite violence, insisting that the future of the state depends on the protection and empowerment of its young population.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts by the council to build a united, responsible, and development-driven youth constituency across Cross River State as the political season approaches.
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