ADC platform for Nigerians with conscience, not tribe or religion – youth leader
The National Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress, Balarabe Rufai, has stated that the 2027 general election will be a contest between Nigerians guided by conscience and those lacking it.
Speaking on Saturday evening at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Coalition for Nigerian Youths in Politics, Rufai described the youth as the backbone of the party and expressed confidence that their support would lead to the defeat of President Bola Tinubu.
On July 1st, prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, 2023 APC presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and others, announced the ADC as the unified platform to challenge President Tinubu.
The ADC National Youth Leader expressed concern that, contrary to the Federal Government’s claims, many Nigerian youths are not benefiting from the student loan scheme.
He stated, “Let me also assure you, anyone you see standing with the ADC coalition today is a Nigerian with conscience. That’s the difference now. This is no longer about tribes or geopolitical zones. It is now between those who have a conscience and those who do not. And that is what the 2027 election will be about.
“Some of our leaders have been approached by the current administration with offers of contracts and appointments, but they rejected them. They said Enough is enough. That’s why we trust them. But even with that trust, let me be clear, we will not idolise them. Democracy is about participation and accountability. We will monitor our leaders. We will correct them. We will speak up if they go astray.”
Explaining why the ADC was adopted, Rufai said, “One of the major criteria was to find a political party that is not driven by religion, ethnicity, or regional sentiment. For two years, they searched, and in all honesty, the only party that met this standard was the ADC. The ADC is not a northern party. It is not a southern party. It is not a Muslim or Christian party. The ADC is a party for ordinary Nigerians — for all Nigerians.
“The youth wing of the party is very important. This is because suffering Nigerian youths are the strength of ADC. So, that will unseat President Tinubu in 2027. The party’s commitment to affirmative action, reserving 40% of all elected and appointed positions for the youth. That is why the coalition adopted ADC as the platform for real change.”
The ADC Youth Leader, who lamented that the APC-led administration is not serious about youth empowerment, assured that the coalition party will change the narrative.
He stated, “Look at the budget allocation for youth development in Nigeria. Do you know that only ₦14 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Youth in this year’s budget? This clearly shows the government is not serious about youth empowerment. When you examine the budget closely, you’ll find that even the NYSC was allocated ₦29 billion, but that’s just for administrative purposes, not actual welfare.
“This administration has shown no real commitment to youth development. The much-publicised student loan scheme is a failure. Many students have applied and are yet to receive anything. Youths are frustrated.
“We need a mind reset. Things cannot continue the way they’ve always been. This is not business as usual. Nigerian youths, I am speaking to you directly. We, your leaders, are not here to enrich ourselves. We’re not here for vanity or to build personal networks. We are here to change the narrative.
“We want to rebuild our politics, to take it from being a money-making venture to being a service to the people. And this change must begin with the youth wing. That’s why we’re in the ADC. Let me say this clearly: ADC will not operate like the others. We are sanitising our internal politics and the entire country.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Convener of CONYIP, Nnamdi Ezemagu, stated that judging by the track record of the new National Youth Leader of the ADC, the party can be confident that it has made the right decision by appointing someone truly fit for the role—”a square peg in a square hole.”
Ezemagu said, “Like Oliver Twist, we appeal for more of these kinds of positioning for the youths as we move towards the next election circle.
“Equally, we use this medium to call on other political parties to emulate the ADC by identifying actual and renowned youth leaders that have served in statutory capacities within established superstructures of the youth, such as the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Youth Parliament, National Association of Nigerian Students, etc., and empower such young persons politically.
“We wish to assert here that, this time around, Nigerian youths shall shine our eyes and only support parties that recognise and support us!!! Going forward, it will be a partnership relationship and a relationship of mutual benefits across the board. Days of use and dump are over. For ADC and others that will follow this trend, we say a big thank you.”
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