The Southern Nigeria Youth Congress (SNYC), an umbrella body representing youths across the 17 states of Southern Nigeria, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for second terms in the 2027 general elections.
The group also declared that there would be “no room for northern presidential candidates” in 2027, insisting that the South should be allowed to complete an eight-year presidential tenure in the interest of political equity and fairness.
The position was made known in Asaba during a solidarity march by members of the Congress through major streets in the state capital, after which they converged at the Government House to formally present their endorsement.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the President-General of SNYC, Comrade Wiska Monday, said the endorsement followed a comprehensive assessment of political developments ahead of the 2027 elections, as well as the performance of the Tinubu administration at the federal level and the Oborevwori administration in Delta State.
Monday said the Southern region would resist any attempt to truncate the existing principle of rotational presidency, arguing that the South should be allowed to retain the presidency until 2031.
He stressed that the endorsement of President Tinubu was not based solely on regional considerations, but also on policies and reforms introduced by his administration.
According to him, the Congress considered the removal of fuel subsidy, efforts to strengthen local government financial autonomy, the student loan scheme and ongoing infrastructure development among the major initiatives that influenced its decision.
He, however, acknowledged the economic hardship occasioned by some of the reforms, noting that while the policies had created short-term difficulties for Nigerians, their long-term impact on the economy should also be considered.
On security, the SNYC leader noted that insecurity predated the Tinubu administration, while commending the Federal Government for efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture through changes in security leadership, enhanced military operations and moves towards the establishment of state police.
Monday said the Congress believed that returning Tinubu for a second term would provide a smoother transition and ensure that the presidency remained in the South until 2031.
The group also endorsed Governor Oborevwori for a second term, citing what it described as “visible development” across Delta State.
The SNYC President-General pledged that the organisation would mobilise its structures across the 17 Southern states and 342 local government areas to support the re-election bids of both Tinubu and Oborevwori.
Receiving the endorsement on behalf of the Governor, the Director of Protocol, Government House, Asaba, Chief Sunday Onoriode, commended the youths for what he described as a strong demonstration of confidence in the leadership of the President and Governor.
Onoriode said the endorsement indicated that Nigerian youths were increasingly recognising the efforts of the two leaders in tackling the challenges confronting the country and improving the lives of citizens.
He acknowledged the prevailing economic challenges but maintained that Nigeria was gradually moving in the right direction, urging citizens to exercise patience and support ongoing reforms.
The Director of Protocol also commended the youths for their maturity and responsible participation in politics, saying the development showed that young Nigerians were no longer prepared to be used to manipulate or coerce older generations into making decisions against their interests.
He described the endorsement as a demand for political equity, stressing that the South had supported leaders from other regions in the past and should now be allowed to retain the presidency.
In a related development, the Grand Patron of the Southern Nigeria Youth Congress and Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Hon. Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro, expressed solidarity with the group.
Agbateyiniro disclosed that the Delta State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) had also endorsed the position of the youth body in support of the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori in 2027.