A political pressure group, Soft Nigeria, has commenced grassroots mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group said it would deploy its structures across political units, wards and local government areas to engage voters, sensitise youths and canvass support for the two leaders.
Speaking during a media interaction, Executive Board member of Soft Nigeria, Dr. Okoh Ezekiel Oghenetega, said the organisation began as Soft Delta in 2021 by members who identified with Oborevwori during his campaign for the governorship of Delta State.
Okoh said the group was attracted to Oborevwori by what its members regarded as his youth-friendly disposition and humanitarian orientation, adding that it later evolved into Soft Nigeria after the 2023 elections.
He said the organisation identified areas of convergence between its humanitarian objectives and programmes of the Tinubu administration, prompting its expansion beyond Delta State.
According to him, Soft Nigeria is a humanitarian political pressure group committed to supporting candidates its members consider youth-friendly and people-oriented.
Okoh said the group had resolved to support Tinubu and Oborevwori in 2027, stressing that its campaign would start from the grassroots.
“We are going to go down to the units, from the units to the ward, from the ward to the local government and from the local government to the states,” he said, adding that members were ready to use their Permanent Voter Cards to participate in the election.
He urged youths to reject electoral violence and pursue political victories through strategy and peaceful democratic participation.
Also speaking, Director of Human Rights and Social Justice, Soft Nigeria, Activist Kelvin Ejumudo, said the group’s October 1 Independence Day “Run and Rein” was organised to provide young Nigerians with an avenue to interact, connect and celebrate the country peacefully.
Ejumudo said the initiative was designed to harness the potential of youths, create awareness and strengthen interaction between citizens and government, noting that Soft Nigeria had also provided free legal assistance to disadvantaged persons whose rights were allegedly violated.
He described the organisation’s name as a reflection of its aspiration for a peaceful, compassionate and inclusive Nigeria, adding that an incident reportedly witnessed at the beginning of the Independence Day programme did not derail the event.
According to him, the event attracted participants from different backgrounds, while the situation was managed peacefully before the programme continued with a road run through parts of Warri and Effurun, followed by an evening entertainment session.
Another Executive member, Vincent Udume Odogbor, said Soft Nigeria provided a platform for young Nigerians to participate actively in governance and contribute to national development.
Odogbor described the reported incident as unfortunate, saying it did not represent the objectives of the organisation, which he said remained focused on promoting unity and peaceful interaction among Nigerians.
Similarly, Favour Chidiebere Philip said the organisation was open to Nigerians irrespective of gender, background or social status, urging women and the girl-child to participate actively in civic activities.
Meanwhile, another member, Yemi Otuedon, called for respect for citizens’ political choices ahead of the 2027 elections, urging security agencies to investigate any alleged attempts to disrupt political events and calling for disagreements to be resolved through dialogue and peaceful democratic engagement.
Otuedon said Soft Nigeria remained firmly connected to the grassroots and would continue engaging citizens, including those who disagreed with its political position, by answering their questions, addressing their concerns and encouraging peaceful participation in the democratic process.
