The Southern Nigerian Youth Congress (SNYC), an umbrella body representing youths across the 17 states of Southern Nigeria, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for second terms in office ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group announced its position during a solidarity march through major streets in Asaba before converging at Government House, where it formally presented its resolution to the Delta State Government.
Speaking on behalf of the Congress, its President-General, Wiska Monday, said the endorsement followed the group’s assessment of political developments ahead of the 2027 elections, as well as what it described as the performance of the Tinubu-led Federal Government and the Oborevwori administration in Delta State.
Monday said the Southern region would resist any attempt to disrupt the principle of rotational presidency, arguing that the South should be allowed to complete what he described as an eight-year presidential tenure.
He said the decision to support Tinubu was not based solely on regional considerations, but also on what the group considered key reforms and policies of the present administration.
According to him, the endorsement represented the position of the Congress’ structures across the 17 Southern states and 342 local government areas in the region.
Monday listed the removal of fuel subsidy, efforts to strengthen local government financial autonomy, the student loan initiative and ongoing infrastructure development among the policies the group considered significant.
He acknowledged that some of the Federal Government’s reforms had created short-term economic difficulties for Nigerians, but argued that they should also be assessed based on their potential long-term impact on the national economy.
On security, the youth organisation noted that insecurity predated the Tinubu administration, while commending what it described as efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture through changes in security leadership, increased military operational structures and consideration of state police.
The group said its assessment of the Federal Government and the broader political situation informed its position that the 2027 transition should, in its view, preserve equity and keep the presidency in the South until 2031.
It argued that supporting Tinubu for a second term would provide a smoother pathway for retaining the presidency in the Southern region.
SNYC Backs Oborevwori
The Congress also endorsed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for a second term as governor of Delta State, citing what it described as his “visible development” across the state.
The group pledged to mobilise its members across the state and the Southern region in support of both Tinubu and Oborevwori during the 2027 elections.
Receiving the delegates on behalf of the governor, the State Director of Protocol, Chief Sunday Onoriode, commended the SNYC members for what he described as a strong demonstration of support and confidence in the leadership of Tinubu and Oborevwori.
Onoriode said the endorsement showed that Nigerian youths were increasingly recognising what he described as the efforts of both leaders to address the challenges confronting the country and improve the lives of citizens.
He acknowledged that the prevailing economic situation remained challenging but said the country was gradually moving in the right direction, requiring patience, understanding and collective support from citizens.
The Director of Protocol expressed confidence that Nigeria would continue to make progress, adding that the position taken by the youths demonstrated their understanding of the realities facing the country.
He pledged to convey the Congress’ message to Governor Oborevwori, who, he said, would communicate the position to President Tinubu.
Onoriode also commended the youths for what he described as their maturity and responsible approach to political participation.
He said the development showed that young Nigerians were increasingly unwilling to be used to manipulate or coerce older generations into taking decisions against their interests.
He further 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.
ALGON Chapter Backs Position
In an interview with journalists, the Grand Patron of the Southern Nigerian Youth Congress and Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Hon. Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro, expressed solidarity with the group.
Agbateyiniro said the Delta State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) had endorsed the position of the Youth Congress in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for second terms in the 2027 general elections.
