NYCN South-East seeks a level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), South East Zone, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, state governments and other stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Council also urged the authorities to investigate the alleged exorbitant fees imposed on political aspirants and candidates for the use of billboards, posters and other outdoor advertising platforms in some south-eastern states.

NYCN Vice President, Southeast Zone, Comr. Dr Atigwe Henry Ifeanyi, made the appeal at a press conference, warning that excessive spending on campaign advertising could undermine political participation, particularly among young people and candidates without significant financial resources.

According to Ifeanyi, reported billboard charges running into tens or hundreds of millions of naira, with figures allegedly reaching up to 150 million naira in some cases, require urgent investigation by the relevant authorities.

It said that while governments have a responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising, such regulations must be transparent, reasonable and applied equally to all political parties and candidates.

“If candidates are required to pay such extraordinary sums before they can erect campaign signs or freely display their campaign materials, then the democratic process risks becoming the exclusive preserve of the financially powerful,” he said.

The NYCN official noted that young Nigerians constitute a significant percentage of the electorate and should be given the opportunity to participate not only as voters but also as candidates and political actors.

He therefore called on INEC, the Federal Government and relevant regulatory and law enforcement agencies to investigate any administrative burdens or regulations that may limit legitimate political participation.

The Council also expressed concern about alleged restrictions imposed on opposition parties seeking to use public schools, government premises and other public facilities for political meetings.

Ifeanyi said public facilities should be administered fairly and transparently, regardless of the political affiliation of those seeking to use them.

He urged state governments, security agencies and INEC to ensure that ruling and opposition parties enjoy equal rights to campaign and engage with voters in accordance with the law.

The council also called on INEC to strengthen monitoring of the pre-election environment and take appropriate action against political actors, candidates, supporters or officials who violate electoral guidelines or hinder other candidates in campaigning.

According to NYCN, election monitoring should begin well before Election Day, as activities leading up to the polls can significantly affect the credibility of the electoral process.

The council also proposed that INEC develop and publish an accessible database containing names, photographs, political parties and other relevant details of duly nominated candidates contesting elections in the South East.

He said such a database would allow voters to easily identify candidates and their political affiliations, while reducing the disadvantage faced by candidates who don’t have the resources for extensive outdoor advertising.

NYCN urged governors and relevant authorities in the five southeastern states to review any campaign advertising expenditures deemed excessive and to ensure that the cost of political participation does not become an obstacle for credible candidates.

The Council, however, called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to respect the law and avoid violence, intimidation, destruction of election materials and attacks on political opponents.

He also urged young people in the region to register to vote, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), study candidates’ manifestos and registers and participate peacefully in the electoral process.

Ifeanyi said young people should exercise their political rights through legal and constitutional means, including documenting electoral irregularities and using appropriate legal and institutional channels to seek redress.

“The 2027 general elections must be an election in which every Nigerian – young or old, rich or poor, ruling party or opposition – has an equal opportunity to participate,” he said.

He reaffirmed Southeast New York City’s commitment to promoting youth participation, democratic inclusion and peaceful political engagement ahead of the elections.

The council called on INEC, the Federal Government, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, state governments and political parties to work together to create an electoral environment where candidates can campaign freely and voters can make their choices without intimidation or undue influence.

The statement was copied to the Chairman of INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governors of the five South Eastern states and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.