Build Stronger Membership Base From Grassroots, Osinbajo Urges APC Youth Wing

Posted by Eric Ojo Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Tuesday, August 17th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yomi Osinbajo has challenged the youth arm of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to brace up and build a stronger membership base from the grassroots by mobilizing young Nigerians across the country to join the party beginning from the ward level.

The Vice President gave the charge on Monday when he received a delegation of the APC National Youth Lobby Group, who were at the Presidential Villa to present the report of the party’s Youth Conference which was held in June this year.

Prof. Osinbajo said the party’s national youth lobby group will need to deal with the issue of inclusion at the grassroots first, adding that he fully supports the idea of young people in the party coming together as a formidable group.

“I think that your group is more relevant today than ever before because you are not only representing young people but you have the energy to make sure that this party actually works for all Nigerians.

“One of the great opportunities that we have is that we have young people like yourselves who are interested enough in politics. All of you already have shown your capacities in various ways, those who are in government have shown that they can do stuff.

“So, the next hard work now is how to get the younger people in our communities, in our society into this party and to see themselves as part of this party, in their hundreds of thousands, in their millions, that is the next thing to do. I hope that you will apply your resources and energy to do this”, he said.

He noted that APC can win elections today because the party is fortunate to have a popular President who can control significant votes, and that the party also has partners everywhere.

He further explained that in the coming years, when APC will have a political leader who will may not be as popular as the President, the group will have go the extra mile in mobilizing support for the party. “We can’t assume that the votes will all come in”, he added.

While commending the successful conduct of the recently held APC Youth Conference, the VP said it demonstrated the ability of youths in the ruling party to take interest in the future of the party and the country.

“For once, young people showed that political party is not just a platform for contesting elections but a platform to debate ideas, it is about how the party can contribute to policy development”, he stressed.

Prof. Osinbajo also observed that though the political environment is complicated, the youths can get things done by their consistency and tenacity demonstrated in all aspects of political party engagements.

Earlier in his presentation, the leader of the APC National Youth Lobby Group, Barrister Ismail Ahmed thanked the VP for being a consistent voice and supporter of youths regardless of political affiliations.

“You have always been an advocate for young people, we want you, sir, to be vociferous this time around. Please be our voice, be our advocate and champion in everything that you will be doing both in government and in the party”, he requested.

He also appealed for more youth integration in the affairs of the party across all levels. “This party (APC) is ours. But how we will do as leaders tomorrow depend on how well we are trained as followers today”, he further stated.

Similarly, another member of the group and Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Engr Inuwa Abdullahi noted that the VP is a source of inspiration to the youths, adding that the way he supports the youths in the country “is second to none”.