Ukorebi Esien | April 30, 2026
CALABAR – The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State chapter, has endorsed Governor Bassey Otu for a second term in office, while simultaneously launching the *Not-Too-Young-To-Lead* advocacy campaign to deepen youth participation in governance.
The event, held in Calabar, brought together youth leaders, government officials and stakeholders, culminating in a vote of confidence on the governor following an independent assessment tour of projects across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the event, the NYCN State Chairman, Olayi Emmanuel, said the endorsement was based on firsthand verification of projects executed by the Otu-led administration, describing the support as “organic and evidence-based.”
According to him, the council undertook a statewide tour to assess government performance, noting that the findings confirmed visible strides in infrastructure, youth empowerment and service delivery.
“Young people went round the 18 local government areas on their own to see things for themselves. What we have presented today is a reflection of what is on ground. This is not hearsay; this is reality,” Olayi said.
He added that the Not-Too-Young-To-Lead* campaign was launched to encourage more young people to actively participate in politics, not just as supporters but as aspirants and leaders.
“Young persons are not just existing in numbers; they have built capacity over time. This campaign is to ensure they engage, aspire and take up leadership roles across all levels,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, commended the initiative, noting that the youth-driven assessment had helped counter what he described as growing political skepticism among citizens.
He explained that many citizens often judge current administrations based on past failures, stressing the importance of independent verification of government projects.
“There is a growing wave of political skepticism where people judge today’s government through the failures of the past. What the youth council has done is to take people to project sites to see that this administration is delivering real results,” Odey said.
The Deputy Governor highlighted key achievements of the administration, including road construction spanning over 200 kilometres, ongoing infrastructure projects and improvements in healthcare facilities.
“This government is not about media talk or paper promises. It is about tangible delivery—roads, hospitals, empowerment programmes—visible to everyone,” he added.
On his part, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Ijom Ukam, said the administration remains committed to creating opportunities for young people, both in appointments and elective positions.
He noted a surge in youth participation in politics, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where a significant number of aspirants are young people.
“What we are seeing today is a reflection of a government that believes in the capacity of young people. Beyond appointments, we are seeing young people stepping forward to contest elective positions, and the party has provided a level playing field,” Ukam said.
He urged aspiring youths to meet the requirements of their respective political parties while pursuing their ambitions without fear or intimidation.
The highlight of the event was the formal endorsement of Governor Otu and his deputy for a second term, with youth leaders insisting that the decision was taken without financial inducement.
Participants also linked ongoing state projects, including road infrastructure, aviation development and economic initiatives, to long-term opportunities for young people, expressing confidence in the administration’s future-oriented policies.
The event concluded with a collective pledge by youth leaders to sustain advocacy for inclusion, capacity building and active political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
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