SAGE Journals

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ahiazu Mbaise Local Branch, heartily congratulates all candidates who emerged from the various political party primaries for the 2027 State and National Assembly elections. We commend all political parties, especially those that respected the spirit of the Charter of Equity by producing candidates from blocs considered due for representation. Such commitment to fairness, inclusion, and political balance strengthens democracy, promotes peaceful coexistence, and deepens public confidence in the electoral process. We also appreciate all aspirants who conducted themselves peacefully during and after the primaries. To those who did not emerge victorious, we encourage them to remain steadfast, as leadership opportunities are not limited to one election cycle. We particularly recognize those who have consistently supported youth development, education, empowerment, and community growth, even without holding elective office. While acknowledging the...

~ 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘞𝘪𝘴 The drums have gone silent. The banners now hang weak in the wind. Footsteps that once shook the streets in consultations now walk slowly into uncertain silence. Aspirants came with hope, with posters, promises, and persuasion. They moved from compound to compound, from elders to youths, believing that someday, somehow, their names would meet the ballot. But politics, like the harmattan wind, sometimes changes direction overnight. In Ahiazu, four men and one woman prepared for battle, yet when the curtain was lifted, the name announced was not among the contenders in the arena. And the people stood speechless. Not because consensus is evil, for the Party is supreme and discipline sustains structure, but because hearts were already invested in a democratic contest that never came. Now the questions float quietly in the air: How do we heal disappointed hearts? How do we gather wounded loyalists? How do we convince party faithfuls that tomorrow still belongs to them? For vi...

By Comr. Uchech’ukwu Wisdom O. (DonWis) The recent debate surrounding the amendment of Senate Standing Orders has once again opened an important national conversation on democracy, legislative experience, and institutional fairness in Nigeria’s parliamentary system. While every legislative institution reserves the right to regulate its internal procedures, such regulations must be guided by the broader spirit of democracy, inclusiveness, and institutional growth rather than narrow interpretations capable of excluding experienced hands from leadership participation. The argument that only senators who served consecutive immediate terms should qualify for principal leadership positions raises a critical constitutional and democratic concern. Legislative experience is not something that expires simply because a lawmaker temporarily leaves the Senate to serve in another public office. Once an individual has passed through parliamentary processes, committee systems, legislative negotiations...

The emergence of newly elected APC LGA Executives across 𝗔𝗵𝗶𝗮𝘇𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲 is not just a routine political development—it is a call to 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 at a critical time in our constituency’s political journey. As 2027 approaches, the political atmosphere is naturally becoming more active. However, beyond ambitions and alignments, there is a higher obligation that must guide all actors within our party structure—the 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁. The principle of equity within Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency has long served as a stabilizing force. It has helped to maintain balance, reduce tension, and ensure that no bloc feels excluded in the political process. This principle must not be sacrificed on the altar of 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹...

In politics, memory is a powerful thing. Sometimes, the loudest voices in today’s political space are the very same individuals whose past writings tell a completely different story. And in moments like this, it becomes necessary—not to insult—but to remind. A few years ago, certain voices positioned themselves as intellectuals, advocates of truth, and champions of objective reasoning. They wrote extensively, analyzed deeply, and presented themselves as balanced thinkers committed to truth and fairness. Today, however, the same individuals have become loud defenders of selective narratives, avoiding critical questions while attacking those who demand accountability. This raises a simple question: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀—𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁? In law and public discourse, one of the core purposes of cross-examination is to test credibility—by exposing contradictions, bias, and inconsistency.  And when you apply that same principle to public commentary, the ...

Political conversations within the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency have intensified in recent weeks, particularly following the entry of Rt. Hon. Emeka Chinedu into the All Progressives Congress (APC). While political debates are a healthy part of democracy, it is important that such discussions remain constructive, factual, and focused on the long-term interest of our people. First, APC remains an open and inclusive political platform. Every individual who believes in the progressive vision of the party and the development agenda of government at both the state and national levels is welcome to participate in the party’s activities. At the same time, democracy thrives on accountability. It is therefore natural that constituents ask questions about representation, legislative impact, and constituency development, especially as the 2027 election cycle gradually approaches. Such questions should not be mistaken for hostility. They simply reflect the people’s desire to assess the ...