Youths in Cross River State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was announced on Friday during the official unveiling of a youth-based political support group, the Evidence Group, in Ogoja Local Government Area of the state.

The group, which seeks to mobilise grassroots support for Tinubu, Otu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), also inaugurated its Ogoja working committee as part of efforts to strengthen its political structures ahead of the elections.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the group, Eyoma Bassey, said the organisation would embark on extensive mobilisation across university campuses, villages, wards and polling units throughout Cross River State.

Bassey charged members of the newly inaugurated committee to begin grassroots mobilisation immediately, stressing that all structures must receive approval from the group’s central leadership before they are publicly announced.

He described the Evidence Group as a youth-driven political support organisation established to rally support for the President, the governor and APC candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.

“The group is a youth based support group that rallies support for Mr President, our Governor and the APC candidates. With this initiative, we are going to different campuses, villages, wards and polling units to mobilize people to vote for the APC,” he said.

The Director-General said the group would also focus on communicating the achievements of the Tinubu and Otu administrations to residents as part of its mobilisation strategy.

According to him, the unveiling demonstrated the willingness of some Cross River youths to mobilise support for the APC-led administrations at the federal and state levels.

“This gathering demonstrates the readiness of Cross River youths to mobilise support for the APC-led administration at both the state and federal levels.

Therefore, we will remain proactive in selling the achievements of both President Tinubu and Governor Otu administrations to the people,” Bassey added.

He further urged young people across the state to unite and participate actively in governance, noting that youth inclusion remained important to democratic development.

Evidence Group Targets APC Victory in 2027
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Evidence Group’s Ogoja chapter, Jude Fingha, said the chapter was prepared to work towards securing victory for the APC in the 2027 general elections.

Fingha disclosed that the group had adopted the slogan “5 over 5” as part of its campaign strategy to mobilise support for APC candidates at all levels in Cross River State.

He described the unveiling as a political development intended to rally support for the incumbent administrations, which he said had performed creditably.

The coordinator also called on youths to support the APC through peaceful political participation, urging them to shun violence and political intolerance.

“The entire purpose is to galvanise support once again and bring back the governor and others who are in line back to office by 2027,” he said.

The group did not provide specific details of its planned mobilisation activities or the number of youths expected to participate in its campaign.

Women Mobilisation Director Calls for Grassroots Support
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Women Mobilisation, Precious Bessong, urged women across Cross River State to take an active role in mobilising support for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Bessong encouraged women to engage their families and communities in promoting the group’s message of continuity for the Tinubu and Otu administrations.

She said empowering women had wider benefits for families and the nation, stressing the importance of their participation in political mobilisation.

The unveiling of the Evidence Group and the inauguration of its Ogoja working committee mark the group’s stated efforts to establish grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, the endorsement represents the position of the group and the participants involved in the event, rather than a measure of the political preferences of all youths in Cross River State.

The Sokoto State Police Command and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have pledged to strengthen their collaboration to ensure adequate security and a peaceful electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commitment was made on Thursday when the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, paid a familiarisation visit to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Yusuf Garba, at the INEC office in Sokoto.

Shaffa said the visit was aimed at strengthening communication, improving coordination and deepening cooperation between the police and the electoral commission as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.

He stressed that sustained collaboration between both institutions was essential to creating a safe and conducive environment for electoral activities.

“Sustained collaboration between the Police and the Electoral Commission is essential to ensuring a safe, peaceful and conducive environment for the conduct of electoral activities,” the police commissioner said.

Shaffa assured INEC of the command’s readiness to provide the necessary security support throughout the electoral process, in line with its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

He emphasised the importance of regular engagement and timely information-sharing among relevant stakeholders to address potential security concerns and safeguard the integrity of electoral activities.

According to him, particular attention would be given to protecting electoral personnel and materials and maintaining law and order before, during and after the elections.

“There is a need for continuous engagement and timely information-sharing among relevant stakeholders, particularly in the areas of election security, protection of electoral personnel and materials, and maintenance of law and order,” he said.

The police commissioner noted that effective coordination among security agencies and electoral officials would be important to supporting the smooth conduct of election-related activities across the state.

Responding, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Yusuf Garba, commended Shaffa for the visit and assured the police command of INEC’s willingness to maintain a close working relationship with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

Garba said the commission remained committed to supporting a peaceful and credible electoral process in Sokoto State.

Both institutions agreed to sustain consultations and proactive engagement as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The Sokoto State Police Command also reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, impartiality and the protection of citizens, electoral officials and other stakeholders throughout the electoral process.

The renewed partnership comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, with security coordination expected to remain an important consideration in protecting electoral personnel, materials and the rights of voters.

The Labour Party candidate for Bende Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Chima Anyaso, has urged youths in the constituency and across Nigeria to reject electoral violence and resist attempts to manipulate the electoral process.

Anyaso also entered into a social contract with the people of Bende, calling on voters not to succumb to intimidation, vote buying or other forms of electoral malpractice capable of undermining their right to freely elect their representatives.

The candidate made the call on Wednesday in Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, during the signing of the pact with residents and stakeholders and the presentation of his manifesto ahead of the 2027 elections.

Addressing stakeholders from the 13 wards of the constituency, including traditional rulers, youths, pressure groups and civil society organisations, Anyaso warned young people against allowing themselves to be used to perpetrate violence during elections.

He said, “No election is worth your life. No politician’s ambition is worth destroying your future.”

Presenting his development pact, Anyaso described it as a covenant developed through what he called hard work and diligence, with the interests and challenges of communities across Bende Federal Constituency taken into consideration.

The Igbere-born entrepreneur also criticised what he described as inadequate representation and poor infrastructure in the constituency despite the resources accruing to it.

He pledged to prioritise infrastructure and human capital development if elected, including the provision of quality roads, hospitals and schools, as well as improved funding for skills acquisition programmes and other economic opportunities for youths and women.

“I would attract quality roads, hospitals, schools, and adequately fund skills acquisition and other opportunities for youths and women,” he said.

Anyaso further urged residents to carefully examine the records, credentials and previous activities of candidates contesting elective positions in 2027.

According to him, democracy would have greater impact when voters elect people with credible records and demand transparency, accountability and measurable results from their representatives.

He urged the electorate to reject what he described as empty promises and hold elected officials accountable for their commitments to the people.

Anyaso promises maximum two terms
The Labour Party candidate also pledged to serve a maximum of two terms if elected, citing the political understanding between the Umunna and Ikwu Isii blocs that make up the constituency.

Anyaso said he would respect the arrangement and support an Ikwu Isii candidate after completing his tenure.

“I will respect the arrangement and would not seek a third term in office; I pledge to support an Ikwu Isii candidate at the appropriate time since I am from Umunna section,” he said.

He added that political leaders should create opportunities for younger generations rather than remain in office indefinitely.

The candidate also urged his supporters not to be intimidated because of their political affiliation ahead of the election.

“Do not be afraid. Do not allow anybody to intimidate you because you have chosen to support me. Do not allow anybody to tell you that this election has already been decided.

We are winning this one. The power belongs to you,” he said.

Anyaso commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Labour Party leaders and residents of Bende for their support, while reiterating his appeal to youths not to allow themselves to be recruited for violent activities during the election.

Stakeholders endorse campaign pact
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Prof.

Ijeoma Iheukwumere; State Labour Party Chairman, Chief Peter Azubuike; Abia North Coordinator of the State Campaign Council, Chief Emeka Charles-Kalu; Mayor of Bende LGA, Deacon Uwabunkeonye Bassey; and Director of the Chimaobi Anyaso Campaign Council, Pastor Okey Dike, among others, commended the candidate for initiating the pact.

The stakeholders described Anyaso as a reliable and tested leader and expressed their support for his political ambition.

The 2027 general elections are expected to feature contests for federal and state elective positions across Nigeria, with political parties and their candidates already beginning to mobilise supporters and present their policy agendas to voters.