By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Southern Nigerian Youth Congress (SNYC), an umbrella body of youths across the 17 states of Southern Nigeria, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for a second term as President and Governor respectively.
Members of the Congress made their position known during a solidarity march along major roads in Asaba, before converging in front of Government House where their resolution endorsing President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori was made known to the Governor.
Speaking on behalf of members of the Congress, the President General, Wiska Monday said the endorsement followed their assessment of political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections and the performance of the Tinubu led federal government and the Oborevwori’s administration in Delta State.
Monday said the Southern region would resist any attempt to disrupt the existing principle of rotational presidency, arguing that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure.
According to him, the endorsement of President Tinubu was not based solely on regional considerations, but also on what he described as key reforms and policies of the present administration, pointing out that the endorsement represented the collective position of its structures across the 17 Southern states and the 342 local government areas in the region.
He cited the removal of fuel subsidy, efforts to strengthen local government financial autonomy, the student loan initiative and ongoing infrastructure development as some of the measures the Congress considered significant.
Monday, however, acknowledged that some of the reforms had imposed short-term economic difficulties on Nigerians but argued that they should also be assessed against their potential long-term impact on the nation’s economy.
On security, the youth body noted that insecurity predated the Tinubu administration, while commending efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture through changes in security leadership, increased military operational structures and moves towards considering state police.
According to the group, its assessment of the administration and the broader political realities informed its position that the 2027 transition should preserve equity and ensure continued Southern presidency until 2031, maintaining that supporting President Tinubu for a second term would provide a smoother pathway for retaining the presidency in the South.
The Congress also endorsed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a second term in Delta State, citing what it described as his “visible development” across the state, even as the group pledged to mobilise its members in support of both President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor, the state Director of Protocol, Chief Sunday Onoriode commended the delegates of the Southern Nigerian Youth Congress for what he described as a strong demonstration of support and confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori.
Onoriode said the endorsement showed that Nigerian youths were increasingly recognising the efforts of both leaders in addressing the challenges confronting the country and improving the lives of citizens.
According to him, although the prevailing economic situation remains challenging, the country is gradually moving in the right direction and requires patience, understanding and collective support from citizens.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria would continue to make progress, stressing that the position taken by the youth demonstrated their understanding of the realities facing the country, just as he pledged to convey their message to Governor Oborevwori, who, he said, would in turn communicate the position to President Tinubu.
Chief Onoriode further commended the youths for what he described as their maturity and responsible approach to political participation, adding that the development demonstrated that young Nigerians were no longer willing to be used to manipulate or coerce older generations into taking decisions against their interests.
He also described the endorsement as a call for political equity, arguing that the South had supported leaders from other regions in the past and should now be given the opportunity to retain the presidency.
In an interview with journalists, the Grand Patron of Southern Nigerian Youth Congress and Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Hon. Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro, who expressed solidarity with members of the Congress, said Delta State Chapter of the Association Local of Government of Nigeria (ALGON), has endorsed the position of the Youth Congress backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a second term in the 2027 general elections.
