Politics
INEC Should Emulate Youths – NYCN
The new leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged INEC to take a cue from the youth, who held successful elections in Abuja.
The newly elected President of NYCN, Comrade Olawale Ajani told newsmen in Abuja that INEC should take a cue from the youth who had demonstrated that democracy could thrive in the country if the electoral body heard the voice of the electorate.
Ajani said the youth had showed that they could be “part of the Nigerian project’’ and that they were ready to take the leadership role in Nigeria.
He said the new EXCO was set to do the bidding of the Nigerian youths and would consult from all parts of the country adding; “and whatever we come up with, is what we are going to implement’’.
He said that Saturday’s elections were symbolic and a true representation of the Nigerian youths which indicated that the 2011 elections could be successful and could “even be free and fairer than the 2003 elections”.
Ajani said he was extending his hand of friendship to other contestants because with different ideologies, the Nigerian youth could develop and move to greater heights.
He described the notion by some politicians that Nigerian youths did not have the capacity to rule the country as “a fallacy, and we will prove that in the next few months that we can lead’’.
Our correspondent reports that Saleh Alhassan, an engineer, said they were set to be “architects of the developmental programmes in Nigeria and not just participants”.
Alhassan gave an assurance that the youth, represented by the NYCN, would give President Goodluck Jonathan all the support needed to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians and also ensure that the unity in the country was sustained.
“I will run an ICT based Secretariat where the Youth Council will be brought up to international standards where best practices in terms of youth development are put in place.
“I believe in the spirit of national unity, we should re-engage all stakeholders to move the youth circle forward,’’ Alhassan said.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) had on Saturday in Abuja elected a new set of leaders, with Ajani emerging as the new president of the council.
In the polls, which were a re-run of the council’s 2008 elections that were cancelled, Ajani polled 150 votes to beat nine other contestants with Balarabe Rufa’i the closest with 112 votes.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.