By Samson Obande, LAFIA

The Nasarawa South Youth Coalition has called on Alhaji Abdullahi Yakubu Maidoya, the Nigeria Democratic Coalition, NDC, governorship candidate for Nasarawa State, to desist from using religious sentiments to lobby for the Nasarawa South Senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued in Lafia, the youth group passed a vote of no confidence on what it described as Maidoya’s “continuous interference” in the senatorial race. It urged him to focus on his gubernatorial campaign and stop lobbying the party’s ticket for former lawmaker, Adamu Mu’azu.

The coalition declared that the Nasarawa South Senatorial ticket rightfully belongs to Barr. Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu, whom it described as a competent, merit-driven leader needed by the constituency.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Comr. Felix Joe said Nasarawa South is a highly diverse and peaceful zone, and that leveraging religious identity to secure political tickets is “an outdated, divisive, and dangerous tactic” that threatens the unity of the people.

“Nasarawa South requires leaders chosen strictly on merit, competence, and a verifiable track record of community development,” he said. 

“Maidoya must step back, respect the choice of the people, and focus on his gubernatorial campaign rather than trying to handpick candidates through divisive tactics. The senatorial ticket belongs to Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu, and he represents the fairness and capacity we demand.”

The coalition further called on all political parties, stakeholders, and delegates within the zone to reject any candidate attempting to divide the electorate along religious lines.

It insisted that fairness, inclusivity, and leadership capacity must remain the primary criteria for electing the next senator to represent Nasarawa South.

The group vowed to mobilize youths across the nine local government areas in the zone to ensure that competence and unity prevail over divisive politics in 2027.