C’River youths kick against prolonged tenure in Political Offices 

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

A Youth group under the aegis of Cross River Youth in Politics for Good Governance, have raised concerns over what it described as prolonged occupancy of legislative offices by the elders warning that the trend is limiting opportunities for new entrants, particularly young people and women.

 Addressing journalists in Calabar, the State Chairman of the group, Amb. Jerry Odey, stated that the ongoing re-election of lawmakers for multiple terms has resulted in a leadership bottleneck and diminished democratic participation.

According to him, “while such tenures may be constitutionally permitted, they undermine fairness and restrict broader participation in governance”,he said.

“It is not healthy for our democracy when individuals remain in legislative positions for 12 to 20 years. It reduces opportunities for others, especially youths and women, and concentrates power in the hands of a few,” he said.

Odey argued that the dominance of long-serving legislators often gives them undue advantage during elections, particularly due to access to financial and political resources, thereby making it difficult for new aspirants to compete.

He noted that the group is advocating reforms that would encourage leadership rotation and create space for fresh ideas and broader representation.

The youth body, however, said it is not only raising concerns but also taking proactive steps by endorsing a list of young aspirants for the 2027 general elections.

Some of the candidates the group endorsed include, Oden Ewa for Senate (Cross River Central); Chief Henry Dennis Bassey (Abi/Yakurr), House of Representatives; Barr. Godwin Offiono (Ogoja/Yala), Victor Abang (Boki/Ikom), and Dan Obo Jnr (Obubra/Etung).

For the State House of Assembly, the list featured several young women, including Mrs. Jennifer Michael Usani Ibiang (Yakurr 1), Grace Unah (Yala 2), and Phylo Modlin Odu (Boki).

The group said the endorsements followed wide consultations with youth stakeholders and were based on competence, track record, and commitment to community development.

“We are not just criticizing the system; we are presenting alternatives. These are individuals we believe can deliver and be held accountable by the people,” Odey added.

He emphasized that the organization remains non-partisan, with members drawn from various political parties, and is committed to ensuring credible and inclusive electoral processes.

The group also called on political parties and key stakeholders to prioritize youth inclusion in their candidate selection processes, warning that parties that ignore the voice of young people risk losing their support.

Cross River Youth in Politics for Good Governance reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with political actors, urging reforms that will deepen democracy and expand opportunities for emerging leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.