The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called on anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to maintain political neutrality in the discharge of their duties, warning that selective justice could undermine democracy.
Speaking during a press conference in Bauchi, the national vice president of the council, Comrade Umar Lauya, insisted that good governance, security, opposition politics and democratic integrity are key.
Lauya said the collective interest of Nigeria must take precedence over personal or partisan ambitions, stressing that constant political conflicts, petitions and media battles were distracting leaders from governance and economic development.
He pointed out that no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of political instability, as growing tensions erode public trust and weaken democratic institutions.
Lauya expressed concern over what he described as a rising perception in Bauchi State and other parts of Northern Nigeria that anti-corruption agencies, especially the EFCC, are being selectively deployed against opposition-led administrations.
He warned that such perceptions fuel political tension, weaken democracy and divert attention from development and service delivery.
On political neutrality, Lauya urged the EFCC, ICPC and other state institutions to operate with fairness, transparency and strict adherence to the rule of law, noting that selective application of justice undermines public confidence.
He also condemned the worsening insecurity across the country, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal violence, criticising what it described as blame-trading between federal and state governments.
Lauya insisted that security is a shared responsibility and should not be politicised, calling for coordinated efforts to address the challenges.
On accountability, he said corruption cuts across all political parties and demanded equal scrutiny of all public office holders, including members of the ruling party.
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The youth body further raised concerns over external economic pressures and what it termed harsh tax policies, warning that excessive taxation in the face of inflation, unemployment and fuel subsidy removal was worsening hardship for youths, small businesses and the informal sector.
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It called for policies that prioritise citizens’ welfare, grassroots development, job creation and the protection of democratic space, urging leaders to focus more on service delivery than personal publicity.
