The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ebonyi State Chapter weekend tasked government at all levels on grassroots restructuring noting that if well package and implemented will reduce violence among youths especially now the country is going into general election.

The chapter also reaffirmed its support for Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re-election in 2027 and endorsed the established governorship zoning arrangement, urging political leaders and youths to uphold peace, equity and political stability in the state.

These contained in a communique issued at the end of an extraordinary joint meeting of the council’s Council of Patrons, Advisory Council, Board of Trustees (BoT), State Executive Council and directorates at its Annex Secretariat, Youth House, Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki.

The communique also passed a vote of confidence in the state chairman, Comrade Douglas Ochishi, and the entire State Executive Council, while endorsing the ongoing revalidation of local government area (LGA) and ward executives as part of efforts to strengthen the organisation’s grassroots structures.

Reading the Communique to journaliststs the state chapter chairman of NYCN Comrade Douglas Ochishi said its position on the governorship zoning arrangement aligned with the political understanding championed by the state’s founding fathers and reaffirmed at the recent Ebonyi State Leaders and Stakeholders’ Political Summit.

According to the communiqué, the arrangement provides an important framework for promoting equity, political inclusion, peaceful coexistence and sustainable development among the state’s three senatorial zones.

It, therefore, called on political leaders, parties, youth organisations and other stakeholders to respect the arrangement in the collective interest of Ebonyi State.

The position follows the political stakeholders’ summit held in Abakaliki on October 20, where prominent political leaders endorsed Nwifuru for a second term and reaffirmed the rotation arrangement, proposing that power should move to Ebonyi Central in 2031 and Ebonyi South in 2039.

On its endorsement of the governor, the NYCN said it recognised development initiatives being implemented under the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs, particularly in education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, human capital development, youth empowerment, peace and security, and public service delivery.

The council consequently urged young people to participate responsibly in the democratic process and support policies and programmes that promote inclusive governance, economic opportunities and sustainable development.

It also called on members, particularly youth leaders occupying positions of trust, to respect decisions reached at duly constituted meetings and comply with the provisions of the NYCN Constitution and legitimate directives of the council.

The communiqué cautioned members against public statements or actions capable of undermining collective decisions, institutional cohesion and established political consensus.

It, however, stressed that any alleged constitutional breach or violation of duly adopted resolutions must be addressed through established disciplinary procedures, with due regard for fairness, the right to be heard and applicable constitutional provisions.

On internal administration, the council endorsed the ongoing revalidation of LGA and ward executives across Ebonyi State, describing the exercise as necessary for establishing credible membership records, strengthening accountability and improving institutional efficiency.

It urged affected executives to cooperate with the process and provide the required information and documentation in accordance with established guidelines.

The meeting also resolved to support the identification and filling of legitimately vacant positions across the state’s 13 LGAs and 171 wards, subject to the council’s constitution and applicable administrative procedures.

According to the communiqué, the initiative is intended to address administrative gaps, improve grassroots representation and ensure continuity in the discharge of the organisation’s responsibilities.

It emphasised that all appointments, replacements and related administrative decisions must follow due process to safeguard institutional legitimacy, transparency and accountability.

The council further called on youths across the state to reject political violence, intimidation, hate speech, misinformation and other activities capable of threatening public peace and democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It urged political actors to embrace dialogue, mutual respect, issue-based campaigns and peaceful competition, irrespective of party affiliation or political differences.

The communiqué reaffirmed the council’s commitment to constructive engagement with the state government, political parties, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to advance youth development, democratic accountability and the collective interest of Ebonyi State.

The meeting concluded with a call on members to implement the resolutions, strengthen institutional unity and remain committed to youth empowerment, equitable political participation, good governance and sustainable development.

The communiqué was signed by representatives of the council’s various organs, including Hon. Richard Ugo Idike, Hon. Ebere Nwogba and Hon. Nkah Magnus for the Council of Patrons; Senior Comrade Ben Nwovu, Comrade Samchi Mgbada and Barrister Okeze Fred for the Advisory Council and Board of Trustees; and Comrade Stanley Emeka Uzo, Comrade Onuoha Nwakpu Omenyi and other members of the State Executive Council, while Comrade Douglas Ochishi signed on behalf of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter.