By Khalid Idris Doya The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has expressed deep concern over what it describes as the pol...
By Khalid Idris Doya
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has expressed deep concern over what it describes as the political situation in Bauchi State and other Northern states, where anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are widely perceived to be selectively deployed against opposition-led administrations.
According to the Council, this perception of selective justice creates unnecessary tension, fuels political instability, and diverts attention from governance and development.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Bauchi, the National Vice President of the NYCN, Comrade Umar Lauya, stated that the Council believed that political confrontations, especially those amplified through the media, are unnecessary, avoidable, and counterproductive.
He noted that such actions erode public confidence, shrink democratic space, and weaken national cohesion.
Lauya reminded political leaders that their primary responsibility is to represent their constituents, safeguard collective interests, and deliver the dividends of democracy, not to pursue personal or partisan ambitions.
"We therefore call on all relevant actors to either shape up or step aside in the interest of the people,” he said.
The NYCN further observed with grave concern the growing perception that the EFCC is being used as a political instrument against opposition figures.
While reaffirming that the fight against corruption remains essential, the Council stressed that it must be conducted with absolute neutrality, transparency, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
"When anti-corruption institutions are perceived as tools of intimidation, democracy is weakened. No nation can thrive where opposition voices are silenced or criminalized for political reasons rather than genuine wrongdoing. Let it be clearly stated: No individual is above the law, and no institution is beyond accountability," Lauya stated.
He emphasised that the collective interest of Bauchi State and Nigeria at large must always supersede personal interests or narrow political ambitions.
"No meaningful development can occur if citizens are persistently distracted by petitions, political maneuvering, and attempts to undermine one another. The time has come for political stability and renewed focus on economic progress."
On the issue of insecurity, the NYCN condemned the persistent culture of blame-shifting and political disagreements between Federal and State authorities over jurisdiction, laws, and responsibilities.
The Council stated that nowhere in the world should disputes between tiers of government be allowed to endanger the lives of innocent citizens, stressing that security is a shared constitutional responsibility and must never be politicised.
The NYCN expressed deep concern over worsening insecurity across the country, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, communal conflicts, and other violent crimes, which continue to claim lives, disrupt livelihoods, shut down schools, displace communities, and threaten national unity.
The Council called on all tiers of government to rise above political interests, strengthen coordination, and take decisive collective action to protect lives and property.
The NYCN stressed that corruption is not exclusive to any political party. Quoting a serving Senator from Ekiti State, Lauya noted: "We are all thieves here."
He emphasised that members of the ruling APC, past and present officeholders, and all public officials must be subjected to equal scrutiny, "Selective justice is injustice, and a biased anti-corruption fight only weakens the credibility of the entire process."
The Council also raised alarm over increasing external economic pressures, particularly from the United States and global financial institutions, warning that Nigeria must not mortgage its economic sovereignty or transfer the burden of global power politics onto an already struggling population.
According to the NYCN, economic policies must prioritise national interest, protection of local industries, and youth economic inclusion rather than unquestioned compliance with foreign agendas.
The Council criticised current tax policies, describing them as increasingly burdensome amid inflation, unemployment, fuel subsidy shocks, and declining purchasing power.
"Taxation without corresponding economic relief, social protection, or job creation deepens poverty and public frustration. Youths, small businesses, and informal sector operators are stretched beyond their limits. A fair, gradual, and transparent tax system is imperative."
The NYCN urged leaders to redirect public resources away from media campaigns and personal publicity toward grassroots development, including investments in health, education, social amenities, and infrastructure.
It noted that recent strikes by tertiary institution workers, alongside allegations of mismanagement, underscore the urgent need for accountable, transparent, and citizen-focused governance.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria also called on relevant agencies to ensure immediate institutional neutrality in the operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and all security agencies.
The Council emphasised the need for equal accountability across all political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the protection of democratic space, opposition rights, and freedom of expression.
In addition, the Council urged the government to adopt economic policies that prioritise the welfare of Nigerians over foreign pressure and to review existing tax policies to reduce hardship and stimulate productivity. It also demanded that all pending political cases be formally brought before competent courts within 14 days.
The NYCN also categorically denounced the spread of fear, exaggerated claims of banditry, and any attempt to destabilise Bauchi State or other Northern states.
"Nigeria's democracy and economic stability remain fragile. Any action that undermines public trust, deepens economic hardship, or suppresses dissent poses a serious threat to national unity.
"The NYCN remains committed to peace, justice, accountability, and democratic governance, and urges all leaders to serve the people rather than personal ambition," Umar Lauya concluded.
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