OBUBRA — Traditional rulers in Obubra Local Government Area have declared their firm opposition to electoral violence and youth restiveness, throwing their weight behind the Cross River State Youth Council’s ongoing peace campaign across the state.
The position was made known during an interactive session between the Youth Council leadership and members of the Obubra Traditional Rulers Council, as part of the Future First Youth Engagement and Assessment Tour currently traversing the 18 local government areas of the state.
Addressing the royal fathers, the State Youth Council Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Olayi, emphasized the need for a united front between youth leaders and traditional institutions to safeguard peace, particularly as the 2027 electoral cycle approaches.
He noted that young people, often at the center of political activities, must resist being used as instruments of violence by desperate political actors.
"We have agreed as youths that no ambition is worth the life of any young man or woman. Elections will come and go, but we must remain alive to live our lives,” Olayi said.
He disclosed that the council’s tour, which has covered several northern and central local government areas, is focused on promoting peaceful coexistence, encouraging voter registration, and assessing the presence of government projects at the grassroots.
According to him, the findings from the tour will be compiled into a comprehensive report to provide feedback to government, reflecting the true situation in each locality.
“We will not sit in Calabar and write what is not on ground. What we see is what we will report. Where there are gaps, we will present them as they are,” he added.
In their response, the traditional rulers commended the initiative and pledged their support in reinforcing the message of peace within their respective communities.
A clan head who spoke on behalf of the council described the engagement as timely, noting that while the message of peace is commendable, its success will depend largely on effective implementation at the grassroots.
“What you have said is very true, but implementation is what matters. We know the challenges. Sometimes, the same youths are used to cause problems, even against credible leaders,” he said.
The royal father stressed that traditional institutions would not support any form of violence, urging young people to desist from being manipulated for political gains.
“We will be the last to encourage any youth to engage in violence. Elections are temporary, but the consequences of violence can last a lifetime,” he stated.
Other speakers at the meeting echoed similar sentiments, calling on youths to embrace peaceful participation in the democratic process by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voting responsibly, rather than disrupting electoral activities.
They also decried the growing trend of youths being induced with small sums of money to perpetrate violence, warning that such actions undermine the future of the state.
“Some politicians will give you little money and ask you to destroy your own community. You must refuse. Nobody will build Cross River for us except ourselves,” one of the elders cautioned.
The meeting further highlighted the need to address recurring communal conflicts, particularly land-related disputes common during the farming season. Youth leaders were urged to promote dialogue and restraint, rather than resorting to violence.
The Obubra engagement marks another milestone in the Youth Council’s statewide campaign aimed at fostering unity, strengthening community leadership structures, and promoting accountability in governance.
As the tour continues, stakeholders say sustained collaboration between youths and traditional rulers will be critical in ensuring a peaceful and credible political process in Cross River State.
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