The Nigerian Youth Organisation (NYO) has formally requested that President Bola Tinubu and national security bodies intervene regarding alleged threats issued by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru against opposition groups. The youth coalition expressed alarm over recent hostile remarks directed at political rivals, specifically the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) within the South-East region.
During an Abuja press briefing, NYO Deputy National President Nasir Doka highlighted that the governor’s inflammatory statements are particularly troubling given his high-ranking public office. Doka noted that such rhetoric undermines democratic values, potentially creating an atmosphere of intimidation that suppresses political dissent and freedom of expression. He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to participate in politics without facing retaliation from government officials.
The group stressed that a healthy democracy requires the tolerance of varying ideas and that criticism should never be viewed as an act of hostility. Consequently, the organization has called for Governor Nwifuru to publicly commit to upholding political freedom. They further urged security agencies to monitor the situation closely to prevent any escalation into violence or harassment, while encouraging all political actors to maintain responsible discourse as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
