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 authorities to investigate alleged exorbitant charges being imposed on political aspirants and candidates for the use of billboards, posters and other outdoor advertising platforms in some states in the South-East.
The Vice President of NYCN, South-East Zone, Comr. Dr. Atigwe Henry Ifeanyi, made the call in a press briefing, warning that excessive campaign advertising fees could undermine political participation, particularly among young people and candidates without significant financial resources.
According to Ifeanyi, reports of billboard charges running into tens or hundreds of millions of naira, with figures allegedly reaching as high as N150 million in some instances, require urgent investigation by the relevant authorities.
He said while governments have the 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 billboards or freely display their campaign materials, then the democratic process risks becoming an exclusive preserve of the financially powerful,” he said.
The NYCN official noted that young Nigerians constitute a significant proportion of the electorate and should have 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 charges or regulations that could restrict legitimate political participation.
The council also expressed concern over alleged restrictions on opposition parties seeking to use public schools, government premises and other public facilities for political gatherings.
Ifeanyi said public facilities should be administered fairly and transparently, irrespective 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 further called on INEC to strengthen its monitoring of the pre-election environment and take appropriate action against political actors, candidates, supporters or officials found to be violating electoral guidelines or obstructing other candidates from campaigning.
According to the NYCN, electoral monitoring should begin well before election day, as activities leading up to the polls can significantly influence the credibility of the electoral process.
The council also proposed that INEC develop and publish an accessible database containing the names, photographs, political parties and other relevant details of duly nominated candidates contesting elections across the South-East.
It said such a database would enable voters to easily identify candidates and their political affiliations, while reducing the disadvantage faced by candidates who lack the resources for extensive outdoor advertising.
The NYCN urged governors and relevant authorities in the five South-East states to review any campaign advertising charges considered excessive and ensure that the cost of political participation does not become a barrier to credible candidates.
The council, however, called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to abide by the law and avoid violence, intimidation, destruction of campaign materials and attacks on political opponents.
It also urged young people in the region to register to vote, collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), study the programmes and records of candidates and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
Ifeanyi said youths should exercise their political rights through lawful 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 where every Nigerian—young or old, rich or poor, ruling party or opposition—has an equal opportunity to participate,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the NYCN South-East Zone to promoting youth participation, democratic inclusion and peaceful political engagement ahead of the elections.
The council appealed to 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, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, Chief of Army Staff and other service chiefs, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, governors of the five South-East states and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.