The National President of the Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru (FON) Youth Movement, Comrade Chinedu Emerike, has urged Ebonyi voters to assess candidates in the 2027 general elections based on their performance and commitment to development, warning youths against political violence, thuggery and intimidation.
Emerike, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on Youth Mobilisation, said elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, stressing that political ambition must not come at the expense of peace and security.
In a statement, he urged political parties and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns and peaceful participation as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
“The 2027 elections must not be treated as a do-or-die affair. No political ambition is worth the blood of any Ebonyi citizen, and no elective office is worth sacrificing the peace, unity and stability of our state,” he said.
Emerike identified human capital development, infrastructure renewal, youth empowerment and security as critical areas for assessing the Nwifuru administration's performance under the People's Charter of Needs.
He said the administration's development agenda should inform public debate ahead of the elections, adding that political competition should focus on policies, measurable achievements and proposals capable of improving citizens' welfare.
He also cautioned politicians against recruiting youths as instruments of violence, urging young people to resist attempts to exploit them for partisan interests.
“The future of Ebonyi State must not be mortgaged on the altar of political desperation. Our youths must choose progress over provocation and peace over political desperation,” he said.
The governor's aide called on opposition parties to exercise their democratic responsibilities through constructive criticism, policy alternatives and peaceful engagement rather than actions capable of undermining the state's stability.
“Political competition should be about who can serve the people better, not who can create the greatest tension or provoke the most hostility,” he added.
Emerike reaffirmed the FON Youth Movement's support for Nwifuru's development agenda and the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging eligible voters to participate peacefully in the electoral process and defend their votes through lawful means.
He also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders and youth organisations to promote peaceful coexistence before, during and after the elections.
