The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigerian youths to take an active role in safeguarding and strengthening the country’s democracy, describing them as vital to the nation’s stability and future.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda urged young Nigerians – particularly those aged between 25 and 55 – to take ownership of the democratic process and resist attempts by what he described as self-serving political actors to undermine ongoing reforms.
He warned against political interests allegedly pursuing narrow ambitions while misinforming citizens about the current administration’s policies, stressing that Nigeria’s democracy is at a critical juncture.
“Nigeria’s democracy is at a defining moment. The responsibility to defend and consolidate it rests heavily on our youths,” Yilwatda said, noting that young people possess the energy and innovation needed to drive national progress.
The APC chairman highlighted the party’s youth-driven structure, stating that over half of its membership comprises young people. He described his emergence as national chairman as a milestone reflecting the party’s commitment to youth inclusion and leadership.
Yilwatda cautioned that entrusting the country’s future to individuals driven by personal ambition could reverse recent gains and return Nigeria to instability.
He, however, acknowledged that reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have involved difficult adjustments but maintained they are necessary for long-term economic growth and stability.
According to him, early indicators suggest the reforms are positioning Nigeria for improved fiscal stability and global competitiveness, adding that international organisations, including the World Bank, have expressed support for the policy direction.
He also pointed to increasing investor interest in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing, attributing this to recent policy changes in foreign exchange management, subsidy reforms, and investment liberalisation.
“Investor confidence is gradually being restored,” he said, citing renewed commitments in the oil and gas sector and growing interest in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Yilwatda concluded by emphasising the importance of an engaged and politically conscious youth population, describing it as the strongest safeguard against democratic decline.
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