The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Young Stakeholders Forum has expressed confidence in the party's National Youth Leader, Hon. Dayo Israel, and warned against attempts to undermine his office or create parallel centres of influence within the party. This statement was made by the forum's National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Shehu Attah, at a press conference held at the Progressive Institute in Abuja. The forum, comprising young stakeholders and founding members of the APC, emphasized the importance of respecting established institutions and internal democracy within the party.
The forum defended Israel's facilitation of campaign mobilization vehicles for selected youth leaders, describing it as part of efforts to improve the reward system within the party's youth wing ahead of the 2027 general election. They also commended Israel for establishing the APC Youth House and Nest Resource Centre, which have pioneered digital skills development, capacity building, and vocational training. These initiatives have also included town hall meetings and empowerment programmes, aimed at enhancing the skills and engagement of young party members.
The APC National Young Stakeholders Forum expressed concern over persistent attempts by some vested interests to weaken the party's national youth structure for personal and other considerations. They emphasized that the party's strength depends not only on electoral victories but also on respect for established institutions, internal democracy, fairness, and the rule of law. The forum urged party members to prioritize unity and focus on mobilizing support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election.
The Renewed Hope Conversations initiative, launched in tertiary institutions, was highlighted as a platform for bridging the gap between the Federal Government and young Nigerians. This initiative brings students, policymakers, and senior government officials together to discuss government policies and obtain feedback. According to the forum, this initiative has helped to foster engagement and dialogue between young people and government officials.
Over the past two years, more than 100 party youths and some youth leaders across the country have benefited from overseas capacity-building and training programmes. These programmes were organized to address demands for an improved reward system within the party's youth wing. The forum commended Israel for facilitating these opportunities, which have enhanced the skills and capacities of young party members.
The forum also commended Israel for distributing campaign mobilisation vehicles to selected youth leaders and buses to others, saying these initiatives would encourage young party members to work for President Bola Tinubu's re-election. They noted that this has sent a strong signal within the youth wing that the era of unfairness is over. The forum warned that attempts to weaken the office of the National Youth Leader through factional manoeuvres or personal power struggles would be resisted.
The APC National Young Stakeholders Forum called on APC youths nationwide to close ranks behind Israel and focus on mobilizing support for Tinubu's re-election rather than engaging in internal disputes. They urged aggrieved party members to channel their complaints through appropriate party authorities rather than engaging in actions capable of provoking tensions or deepening divisions. The forum acknowledged that disagreements and competing interests are normal in a large political organization like the APC but emphasized the need to resolve them through established procedures.
Key points
- The APC National Young Stakeholders Forum has expressed confidence in Hon. Dayo Israel as the party's National Youth Leader.
- The forum warned against attempts to undermine Israel's office or create parallel centres of influence within the party.
- The forum commended Israel for initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills and engagement of young party members.
