2027: Enugu Youths Back Tinubu, Mbah, Urge Greater Youth Electoral Participation

Youths of Enugu state, on Wednesday, declared their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, saying that both administrations have created unprecedented opportunities for young people in governance and development.

The endorsement came during the Enugu Youths Support Summit, held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, under the theme, "Take a Stand Today & Lead Tomorrow."

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development and Mobilization, Mr. Peter Chime, urged young people across the state to rally behind the re-election bids of President Tinubu and Governor Mbah, describing them as leaders committed to youth inclusion and empowerment.

Chime said Governor Mbah had transformed young people from mere political mobilisers into active participants in governance through strategic appointments and talent development initiatives.

He also commended President Tinubu for appointing young Nigerians into key federal positions, saying the appointments demonstrated the administration's commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders.

According to him, the summit was organised to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and reinforce youth support for both leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also speaking, the Enugu State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, said no previous administration at both the federal and state levels had given youths as many opportunities to participate in governance as the current governments.

He cited the appointment of young Nigerians into strategic positions, including ministers and the Director-General of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), as well as the inclusion of young people in Enugu State's executive council, local government administration and the State House of Assembly.

Ekweremadu noted that youth empowerment went beyond political appointments, stressing that many of the policies introduced by the Tinubu and Mbah administrations were designed to improve the lives of young people.

He pointed to the Federal Government's Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial support for students, and Governor Mbah's skills acquisition and economic empowerment programmes as examples of youth-focused initiatives.

Delivering a keynote address, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, challenged young people to prepare themselves for leadership through self-development, discipline and mentorship.

Onyia described the summit's theme as timely, saying leadership was not attained through loud rhetoric but through competence, integrity and measurable performance.

He praised Governor Mbah's administration, describing him as one of Nigeria's most outstanding governors, with more than 10 awards recognising his performance in office.

The SSG urged participants to embrace continuous learning, remain humble and seek mentors capable of adding value to their personal and professional growth.

"You can be young in age but old in wisdom," Onyia told the gathering, adding that leadership is defined by humanity, character and results rather than titles.

The summit attracted government officials, youth leaders, political stakeholders, student representatives and members of various youth organisations from across Enugu State, with participants reaffirming their commitment to greater youth participation in governance and sustained support for the Tinubu and Mbah administrations ahead of the 2027 elections.