Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged Nigerian youngsters to take up the burden of maintaining and improving the country’s democracy.
He recognised them as a crucial factor in ensuring the country’s current and future stability.
Speaking against the backdrop of ongoing national reforms, Professor Yilwatda urged young Nigerians, particularly those between the ages of 25 and 55, to take ownership of the democratic process and resist attempts by self-serving political actors to derail the country’s progress.
He emphasised that this demand has become necessary in light of recent actions taken by certain political interests around the country to promote limited personal goals while misinforming citizens about the intentions and outcomes of the current administration’s reform plan.
In a statement signed by Abimbola Tooki, his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, he stated, “Nigeria’s democracy is at a tipping point. Our youngsters bear the primary duty for defending and consolidating it, as they possess the energy, ingenuity, and patriotic passion essential to propel the country forward.
“We must not enable individuals who have no serious alternatives to previous issues to mislead the public or undermine the progress that has already been made.
“In a historic and defining moment, the party has, for the first time since its inception, given its national leadership to a young person.
“This development underscores the APC’s progressive orientation and its recognition of the strategic importance of youth leadership in navigating the complexities of modern governance and politics.”
It stated that by appointing a young leader to its top administrative office, the APC not only broke new ground but also delivered a strong signal of trust in Nigeria’s younger generation’s talent, vision, and vitality.
“It reinforces the party’s belief that sustainable democracy and national development are best secured when young people are not merely participants, but central actors in shaping policy, driving reforms, and defending democratic values,” the statement stated.
He stated that the APC’s youthful dominance inside the party structure presents it as a forward-thinking organization, well-suited to Nigeria’s demographic realities and better able to harness its people’s energy, ingenuity, and resilience for national growth.
Professor Yilwatda said that committing Nigeria’s future to such forces, who are pursuing their own goal of becoming president at whatever cost, would be a costly error capable of undoing hard-won gains and returning the country to periods of instability and stagnation.
He admitted that the continuing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have resulted in difficult adjustments, but emphasised that these steps are crucial for long-term success.
He stated that early results suggest that the reforms are already repositioning Nigeria for long-term growth, fiscal stability, and global competitiveness.
The APC Chairman emphasised the benefits of a youthful population, stating that young people provide adaptability, technology savvy, and a forward-thinking mindset, all of which are necessary for furthering democratic values, increasing civic involvement, and holding leadership accountable.