The coalition insisted that the ADC must “distance itself” from youth groups, accusing the party of attempting to lure its members into a political project ahead of 2027.
Ayouth association, under the aegis of the Nigerian Youths Coalition Initiative, has rejected the newly formed coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) saying its sponsors are not a better political option for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The youths coalition in a statement sent to SaharaReporters warned that the country’s democracy cannot be strengthened through such “unpatriotic political adventures.”
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Victor Thompson, Convener of the Nigerian Youths Coalition, condemned the involvement of well-known political actors such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola in the newly formed ADC.
Thompson accused them of having “selfish past precedents” that have contributed to Nigeria’s persistent crises.
“Never will it be heard or read in the annals of this nation’s history that, in our generation, Nigerian youths took a stand with the very same set of people who betrayed this nation over and over again,” Thompson declared.
The coalition insisted that the ADC must “distance itself” from youth groups, accusing the party of attempting to lure its members into a political project ahead of 2027.
“We will not allow any of our members to be involved in political thuggery or be used as foot soldiers by politicians whose only goal is to reclaim power for selfish reasons,” Thompson said.
In the statement, the coalition levelled sharp accusations against the leading figures in the ADC coalition.
The coalition said Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, is “the single most notorious factor in the collapse of the economy” due to his role as head of the National Council on Privatisation, under which several state enterprises, including the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom, reportedly collapsed, leading to mass job losses.
Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, was accused of hypocrisy.
The coalition alleged that Obi invested state resources into his personal business interests, including a purported stake in an alcohol company.
Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State and ex-FCT Minister, was accused of being “the author and finisher of the Southern Kaduna genocide.”
The group charged that El-Rufai’s leadership style was divisive and dangerous for national unity.
“These are the kinds of leaders who want to ‘rescue’ Nigeria,” Thompson said. “They call themselves the ADC coalition, but to us, they are nothing but a coalition of doom and darkness.”
Beyond criticising individual politicians, the coalition accused the ADC of attempting to hijack the youth movement for its own political agenda.
“We will resist any attempt to drag Nigerian youths into another cycle of recycled leadership that has failed this nation repeatedly,” Thompson stated.
The group vowed to ensure that young Nigerians occupy key political positions in 2027, declaring their determination to end the era of “recycled old politicians” who, they said, have held Nigeria back for decades.
The coalition also unveiled plans to curb electoral violence and malpractice by organising sensitisation campaigns, rallies, and training ahead of the off-cycle elections and the 2027 general elections.
“We are committed to making sure the youth are not used for political thuggery again,” Thompson said.
The Nigerian Youths Coalition advised Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other ADC leaders to stop invoking the name of Nigerian youth in furthering their political ambitions.
“While it is your right to assemble, associate, and participate in the political process, we warn you in the strongest terms to desist from using our name as Nigerian youth to push your sinister ambition,” the statement read.
“Failure to desist will trigger an uncontrollable youth movement against you and your coalition.”
