Niger Delta Youths Want NASS Leadership Race Declared Open

Niger Delta youths under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has appealed to the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to embrace the principles of neutrality, equity, fairness, and inclusivity in ongoing tussle for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

It implored the President-elect to allow members of the National Assembly to exercise their rights to vote and be voted for, without being hindered by zoning restrictions, adding that by doing so, “we can pave the way for a stronger, more representative, and united Nigeria.”

The NDYC also drawn the attention of Tinubu to what it called the inherent complications of not upholding the fundamental principles of democracy by allowing members of the National Assembly to exercise their rights to elect their leaders without any form of restriction.

In a statement signed by national coordinator NDYC, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, and made available to LEADERSHIP Friday, the group said restricting principal offices to specific regions limits the ability of capable and qualified individuals from other regions to contribute their skills and expertise to the development and progress of our great nation.

It urged the president-elect to take a cue from his party’s presidential primary elections, where interested candidates from all regions were allowed to contest and delegates had the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate, saying this approach demonstrated a commitment to fairness and inclusivity within the party, which it urged the president-elect to extend to the National Assembly.

“He must therefore beware of those who swarm around him marketing the dangerous merchandise that imposition of a leadership on the National Assembly would bear any fruit. He should know that these people are express enemies of his personality and therefore working to place hurdles on the path of coming administration.

“By allowing members of the National Assembly to exercise their democratic rights, regardless of their region, we can foster a healthy competition of ideas, skills, and experiences that will enrich the legislative process and governance as a whole. This will lead to more robust debates, better representation, and ultimately, the empowerment of the Nigerian people,” it added.

It said moreover, by discarding the constraints of zoning, “we can empower individuals to pursue their political aspirations based on merit and competence, rather than geographical considerations. This will open up opportunities for talented individuals from all regions to contribute their unique perspectives, knowledge, and expertise to the development of our nation.”

The group said the president-elect must remain resolute in his dedication to national unity, rejecting any attempts by mischief makers to sow seeds of discord and division among different regions of the country. In this regard, the Niger Delta group urged Tinubu to exercise discernment and discretion, refusing to heed the whispers of those who seek to undermine his administration and tarnish his legacy before it even commences by pitching him against certain regions and the masses at large.