The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to place young people at the centre of political decision-making, promising to move beyond symbolic youth participation to meaningful leadership and responsibility within the party.
In a statement, the party said young Nigerians would no longer be mobilised only for campaign rallies or online political engagement without being included in critical decision-making processes.
“Young people will no longer be invited into politics merely to fill campaign rallies, defend leaders online, and disappear when critical decisions are made.”
ADC said that under the leadership of its Deputy National Secretary, Hauwa Yusuf, the party intends to establish measurable standards for genuine youth inclusion across its structures.
According to the party, it will publish the number of candidates and campaign officials under the age of 40, identify women and persons with disabilities holding positions of responsibility, and make public the training, resources and authority entrusted to them.
“The party will publish its pipeline of candidates and campaign officials under the age of 40, identify the women and persons with disabilities occupying positions of real responsibility, and demonstrate the training, resources and authority entrusted to them.”
The party stressed that youth participation should extend beyond campaign activities to include candidate nominations, budgeting, policy formulation, election management and strategic decision-making.
“Youth participation must be visible in candidate nominations, budget planning, strategy meetings, policy development and election management not only in campaign photographs and applause.”
ADC said Hauwa Yusuf’s experience as a former National Youth Leader positions her to understand both the strengths young Nigerians bring to politics and the systemic barriers that have limited their participation.
“As a former National Youth Leader, Hauwa Yusuf understands both the energy, innovation and commitment that young Nigerians bring, as well as the structural barriers that have kept many of them outside meaningful positions of power.”
The party also pledged to equip young organisers with the skills required for effective political participation, including policy communication, community mobilisation, election monitoring and leadership development.
“Under the ADC, young organisers will be equipped to communicate policy, mobilise communities, protect the integrity of elections and prepare for public office through deliberate leadership development.”
ADC further assured that women and persons with disabilities would play substantive roles within the party rather than being included for symbolic purposes.
“Women will not be treated as ceremonial supporters.”
“Persons with disabilities will not be remembered only during symbolic events.”
It added that every group welcomed into the movement would have a clearly defined role and a measurable pathway to leadership.
“Every group welcomed into the movement will have a clearly defined role, meaningful responsibility and a measurable pathway to leadership.”
Reaffirming its commitment to youth inclusion, the party said Nigeria’s future must be shaped by those who will live longest with today’s policy decisions.
“Nigeria’s future cannot be designed without the generation that will live longest with the consequences of today’s decisions.”
The party concluded by saying it intends to back its commitment with transparency and accountability.
“The ADC will not merely promise youth inclusion. It will publish the evidence.”