2023: APC youth wing to lobby policy makers for positions

As part of efforts to increase the participation of youths in the 2023 general elections, the youth wing of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) says it is engaging policy makers to lobby for positions for young Nigerians.

The APC national youth leader, Dayo Israel disclosed while briefing journalists at the party headquarters on Tuesday, in Abuja.

The youth wing of APC had set up a high level work group saddled with the responsibility to strengthen the participation of young people in the political process. The group is also expected to lobby policy makers across the country to ensure the success and emergence of credible young aspirants in the forthcoming primaries.

The youth leader while speaking to newsmen said the intention of the party is to increase the number of young people running or participating in the forthcoming general elections.

He said “the youth of our party will not be used to snap ballot boxes this year. We are not going to be used for veterans electoral violence in this election but we are going to get a seat at the table. We are going to produce members of the House of Assembly, we are going to produce Deputy governors, we are going to produce Speakers of Parliament, members of the House of Reps, members of the Senate by the grace of the Almighty God”.

Also, the Co-chairman of the High Level work group, APC youth wing, Ahmad Salihijo said the group is engaging high profile politicians to ensure that this is achieved.

He said “We have engaged with the governor of Lagos State, Governor of Ogun State, Governor of Ekiti state. And we have all gotten very firm commitment from these Governors. Already, They have shown a lot of encouragement because once you look through their cabinet , you would find that a lot of the people they are currently bringing into their cabinet are young people.

“This week we are able to secure appointments to meet with the Cross Rivers State Governor, Niger State Governor, Gombe state Governor, Kebbi State Governor, Jigawa State Governor and Kano State Governor. So far, we have seen a lot of positive results. We have areas where we have our young aspirants who have been cleared to run as, State house of Assembly members, House of Representatives, Senate, even Governors”.

Salihijo also said the party may assist young aspirants to raise funds.

“We can help them with fundraising so that beyond the primaries, we are going into the elections, we will continue to support them and ensure they succeed”, he added.