Ahead of the July 31 commencement of its ward, local government and state congresses, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday inaugurated its national and zonal lobby committees for youth inclusion in ward, local government and state congresses.
The mandate of the lobby groups is to engage with party leaders, governors, legislators, ministers, elders and other critical stakeholders within the zones to ensure that many party positions are manned by the youths at the lower levels.
Speaking at the virtual inauguration, the National Youth Leader of the party, Ismael Ahmed, stressed the imperative of active youth involvement in national polity.
He urged stakeholders of the party across the country to engage the youths in driving the activities of the party.
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his youth-friendly policies, Ahmed acknowleged the untapped potential of the youths in nation building.
“We the young people have always been the ever reliable foot soldiers during campaigns for elections at all levels. When political discussions pertaining to administrative policies and activities moved online to social media, we the young people became the first line of defence for the administration. At every turn, we have worked and played our part tirelessly.
“However, going by recent events, it is now quite clear that it is time we took charge. How do we go about that? With the assignment before us today as members of National and Zonal Lobby Groups, the mandate is clear: to engage with Party Leaders, Governors, Legislators, Ministers, Elders and other critical stakeholders within our zones to ensure that many party positions are manned by the youth at the lower levels.
“As we begin our assignment, I implore and urge every one of us to carry it out with the utmost dedication and commitment we are known for.
“I believe we are all aware that some states are settling for consensus candidates in the Congresses. While that should not pose a problem, we should always remember that the ultimate goal is to ensure that whatever method adopted by any state and at any level must guaranty that young people are fully involved and get the most out of the process.”
In his remarks, the deputy govenor of Kogi State, Hon. Edward Onoja, who is also a member of the national lobby group, applauded the National Youth Leader for his initiatives at promoting youth participation in party activities, while highlighting the achievements of Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, in youth empowerment in governance and politics.
Speaking, a member of the national lobby group, Kabir Aregbesola, urged the newly constituted members of the lobby groups not to form parallel structures but work with the existing party structure in a bid to achieve the mandate of the respective committees.
He further stressed the need for exchange of success stories and challenges of the national and zonal lobby committees across the geo-political zones and states for the sake of achieving the desired objective of the lobby groups.
The committees are made up of seasoned professionals, politicians, youth and political activists, policy makers and government officials, with the mandate to drive the ceding of 10 per cent of all positions in addition to the position of National Organising Secretary to the youths in the forthcoming ward, local government and state congresses of the APC.