The African Democratic Congress has promised to ensure greater inclusion of young Nigerians in its activities, programmes, and policies when it comes into power.
This assurance was given by the party’s Interim National Chairman, David Mark, and National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, during its International Youth Day event held in Abuja on Tuesday.
IYD, observed annually on August 12, raises global awareness of youth-related issues while celebrating their potential as vital contributors to society.
The 2025 theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” underscores the critical role young people play in turning global goals into impactful, community-based initiatives.
Represented by coalition leader and former APC vice chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, Mark pledged ADC’s commitment to true democracy, rejecting imposition, favouritism, and unaccountable politics.
He stated, “We will uphold collective leadership at every level, ensuring every member has a voice. This is your party, truly owned by its members, without exception.
“Our grassroots structures will be revitalised to reflect modern realities. From polling units and wards to the national stage, every organ of our party will be re-energised for active participation.
“To our young people: ADC is your home. We are opening the doors for the next generation, not as a gesture, but as a commitment. Our policies, candidate selection, and leadership roles will ensure real inclusion of youths and women, not tokenism. That is why 35% of leadership positions are reserved for women, and leadership roles will include Nigerians under 40.
“Nigerians will know ADC as a party driven by clear ideology, progressive policies, and patriotic governance. We will not leave leadership direction to chance.”
Mark encouraged Nigerian youths to join the ADC, describing it as a focused, principled, and people-oriented coalition committed to delivering good governance for all.
“On this International Youth Day, I call on all Nigerians to join us. ADC is the party of equal opportunity, where age, gender, religion, or region are never barriers. Our handshake is extended to all—across every divide, because the future we build is one we build together, he added.
Earlier, Rufai stated that if Nigerian youths cannot transform their streets, they cannot transform the nation, warning that without changing Nigeria, Africa will remain at the mercy of others in shaping its future.
The ADC Youth Leader lamented that despite Nigeria having Africa’s largest youth population, with over 70% under 35, it remains the most economically disadvantaged generation since independence.
He stated, “The National Bureau of Statistics reports that 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty. Food inflation is over 33%. The National Unemployment Report shows youth unemployment above 53%.
“UNESCO confirms that over 20 million Nigerian children are out of school, the highest in the world. This is not just a policy failure; it is a moral crime. How can the same leaders who boast about GDP growth ignore the fact that our classrooms are empty while our prisons and streets are full of young people without hope?
“The Nigeria Security Tracker recorded over 12,000 deaths from violent attacks in 2024 alone—many of them in communities where youth make up the majority of the victims. In Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and Kaduna, rural youth are kidnapped for ransom while urban youth are hunted down in the name of “security operations.” And yet, our so-called leaders spend more money on convoy fuel than on community policing.
“Under the theme Local Youth Action for SDGs and Beyond, we must confront the hard truth — in Nigeria and across Africa, young people’s efforts toward achieving the SDGs are shackled by bad government policies, poor budgetary allocations, and a lack of political will. With just five years left before 2030, the gap between developed and developing nations is glaring, and a one-size-fits-all SDG framework is failing to address our unique challenges.
“The African Democratic Congress, guided by its constitution and vision beyond Nigeria, calls on the United Nations to urgently adopt differentiated goals for developed and developing countries so that the realities of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and educational decline in our societies are not ignored but directly addressed. The youth of Africa cannot continue to be judged by the standards of nations whose histories, economies, and governance structures are worlds apart from ours.”
Rufai affirmed that the ADC’s loyalty lies with Nigeria, not any tribe, region, or the selfish ambitions of a few—vowing to establish lasting systems that serve all citizens, rather than relying on empty post-election slogans.
He continued, “I am not here to tell you to wait. I am here to tell you that e don reach. As the streets say, no be who first start na him dey finish race. The incumbents may have started with power, but if the youth organise, we will finish with victory.
“I speak as someone who has queued for fuel at midnight, borrowed to pay school fees, and seen friends take dangerous journeys across the Sahara and Mediterranean because home gave them no reason to stay. These chains can break, but only if the people wearing them rise together.
“The ADC is ready to give young Nigerians a seat at the table, not as decoration, but as decision-makers. We will champion policies that create real jobs by investing in agro-processing, renewable energy, and tech startups. We will fund education like our lives depend on it—because they do. We will bring security to our communities not by empty promises, but by empowering local security structures and addressing root causes.”
PUNCH.
