By Polycarp Nwaeke
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is intensifying youth engagement in Rivers State as part of efforts to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Rivers State Youth Wing of the NDC says it plans to reach over 104,000 young people across the Rivers East Senatorial District through a grassroots mobilisation campaign.
The State Youth Leader, Nelson Tomnwe, disclosed this while inaugurating youth coordinators for the local government areas in the senatorial district.
Tomnwe said the party is focusing on young people because they are the most affected by the country’s current socio-economic challenges.
He urged the newly inaugurated coordinators to return to their respective local government areas and mobilise more youths to participate actively in the party’s programmes and activities.
Speaking at the event, Tomnwe said: “If we approach you as NDC and we are talking about a new generation, and you decide that you want to remain where you are, that is your choice.
It is an open reality what Nigeria has become today; you can all see it for yourselves. We are speaking from that standpoint. We are looking at how we can mobilise our members across these zones to spread our message.
I have told them they must see themselves as those in charge. That is the only way we can ensure that we take over through legal means—by voting.”
Also speaking, the Rivers East Senatorial Coordinator of the party, Aleruchi Wisdom, said many young people in the state have been denied opportunities to participate meaningfully in politics.
He encouraged youths to join political parties where they can contribute to decision-making, adding that the NDC provides such an opportunity.
According to Wisdom: “The youths, particularly those of the NDC, are ready for the 2027 general elections. We are putting structures in place and laying a solid foundation on which we can stand.
This country has already been hijacked, and I do not believe it is the youths who have hijacked it. It is the older generation, and we are saying no to that.
That is why we are raising the political consciousness of young people in Rivers State and across the country to come out en masse and make Nigeria a better place.” Earlier, the Rivers East Senatorial candidate of the party, Dr. Worlu Ekechi Benjamin, criticised the ruling APC, alleging that its performance has made more Nigerians interested in joining the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections.
