Rt. Hon. Doubra Timiyan, Speaker of the Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) Parliament, has withdrawn from the forthcoming Kokodiagbene Youth Development Movement (KYDM) presidential election and declared his support for fellow aspirant, Comrade Doutimi Cousin.

In a statement signed by Timiyan on Thursday, October 1, the one-time President of the National Association of Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) said his decision was guided by a desire to put KYDM’s unity and development ahead of personal ambition and to create space for a new generation of leaders.

"The electoral process naturally comes with interest, excitement, competition, and, at times, tension. These are all part of the democratic process. However, beyond the contest itself, what should remain paramount is our collective interest in the growth, unity, and sustainable development of KYDM.

"It is in this spirit that I wish to formally announce my decision to step down as a presidential aspirant in the forthcoming KYDM General Election and to support the emergence of a new generation of leaders.

"Today, I am presenting Doutimi Cousin as the presidential candidate whose candidacy I am supporting following my decision to withdraw. My decision is not about declaring myself superior or inferior to any other aspirant. Rather, it is about sacrifice, responsibility, and the willingness to place the collective interest above personal ambition," he declared.

Timiyan said he understood the commitment and resources required to contest, recalling that an anonymous supporter had once purchased his nomination form. Inspired by that gesture, he said he had personally bought nomination forms worth more than ₦1 million to encourage young people to participate in the forthcoming election.

"I was once an aspirant in this process, and I experienced firsthand the commitment, sacrifice, and resources required to participate. Interestingly, an anonymous individual purchased my nomination form for me, and to this day, I do not know who that person was. That singular act of sacrifice left a lasting impression on me.

"In the same spirit, I have personally purchased nomination forms with a total value of over ₦1 million, as my own contribution towards encouraging participation and building the next generation of leadership within KYDM," the GYC Parliament Speaker stressed.

Timiyan described the election as an opportunity to build a functional system and lasting leadership foundation for KYDM, rather than simply a contest for positions, as he urged members, stakeholders and supporters to maintain peace and unity throughout the process.

He also welcomed the participation of young people seeking leadership roles, describing it as a generational transition that should be encouraged within the youth organisation.

Although stepping aside from the presidential race, Timiyan said he remained committed to KYDM and the success of its next administration. He called for an inclusive, accountable and productive leadership structure capable of creating opportunities for young people.

"As I step down from the presidential race, I remain committed to KYDM and to the success of its next administration. I will continue to advocate for a leadership structure that is inclusive, accountable, productive, and capable of creating opportunities for our young people.

"This is not an end to the journey. It is a decision to make room for a new chapter," he added.

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