The Forum of National Youth Leaders of All Political Parties in Nigeria (FNLYLPPN) has denied being a stooge of the ruling political party, but rather expressed its commitment to pursuing and actualizing its objectives which includes; fostering unity among politically active young Nigerians.

The group which has existed for a decade was reacting to the false narratives by the African Action Congress, AAC, which alleged that the political youth group has become a stooge to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which it went ahead to dissociate itself in what the AAC described as, “political jobbers shopping support for the ruling party, APC”

The AAC had alleged that the sum of N30 million was offered the group to share among the youth across party lines to endorse President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027.

The Forum denied collecting N30 million to endorse President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for 2027, while it challenged the AAC to prove evidence of the allegation against it.

“On the allegation of the 30 million Naira that was shared to National Youth Leader’s of political parties to endorse President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, we dare say that it is hasty, unfounded, untrue and lacks strategic and political merit to say the least.

“For a Forum that has existed for 15 years and witnessed transitions between successive governments and still standing potently as an impactful platform without any previous allegations of compromises, it is easy for the objective mind to see that these lies are mere fabrications of the imagination of its originators.

Reacting through a statement jointly signed by the National Youth Leaders of ADP and APGA, Hon. Chinazam Ike, and Eze Chukwu Onyebuchi, respectively, they faulted the allegation which was pushed into the public space by the African Action Congress, stressing that AAC has been part of activities of Forum in the past decade, wondering what went wrong with the political party at a time that the country was preparing for the 2027 general election which the Forum would play a vital role.

The Youth form said, it has been developed since its inception which it has partnered with development partner and agencies with same vision, hence, it would continue to pursue its mandate.

The statement read: “In pursuing this mandate, the forum has continued to thrive, and the AAC has been an integral part of its programs, initiatives, growth, and development over the past decade of its existence.

“The Forum has facilitated several programs and events towards protecting the interest of youth in the political space across political lines, and the AAC have always had their representatives in such programs and events.

“We have documented evidence to these claims and will avail them at the appropriate time. Therefore, it is not difficult to spot their hypocrisy when they label our forum as fraudulent and fictitious.

“The AAC, through its representative, is a contributor and a signatory to the National Action Plan for youth inclusion Medium Term Framework 2024-2027, which is one of the modest accomplishments of the forum with support from development partners.

“Therefore, we are surprised that the AAC that has earned a blackmailing reputation and thrives on controversy would picket this Forum, that have nothing but a noble history of integration and several interventions targeted at increasing inclusion in politics and governance, especially for youth and women.

“We will provide a platform for the advancement of all genuine concerns of Nigerian youth with regards to politics and governance, regardless of faith, creed and tribe and not minding political preferences.

“At this critical time in our Nation’s history, it is quite disturbing to note that, rather than encouraging concerted efforts targeted at improving governance and the welfare of the Nigerian people, some people would rather seek to exploit the pains of the people for cheap political gains, even if it means dishing it out, half truths, falsehood, distorted narratives and outright lies.

“The Forum of National Youth Leaders of All Political Parties in Nigeria (FNLYLPPN) was first convened in the year 2013 under the leadership of Mallam A. Maibasira, the then National Youth Leader (NYL) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was the ruling party at that time.

“Since then, the Forum has enjoyed political stability, harmony, and growth, and not once in its over a decade of existence had there been such allegations of being stooges or willing tools for the party in government.

“It is worthy of note that the Forum has been administered by the National Youth Leaders of different political parties at different times, including the National Youth Leader of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress at a time, yet even during that term, the forum was never accused of working for the ruling party or alleged of bribery to endorse any candidate from whatever political party.

In pursuit of its mandate, the FNLYLPPN engages with Nigerians of note across party lines to advance the youth agenda, it is on record that the Forum has held meetings, addressed press conferences and paid official visits to the leaders of different political parties that make up the Forum.

“The most recent being a world press conference held at the National Secretariat of the Action Democratic Congress on the 15th September 2024 and a meeting held at the National Secretariat of the New Nigeria People’s Party sometime in November 2024, despite such engagements the forum has never been accused of working for these political parties, until the recent engagement with the Honourable Minister of Youth who is a public servant mandated to serve the youth populace.

“It is easy therefore to see the malicious intentions of these ignorable lots, who chose to cast selective aspersions on the forum for holding a meeting with a Minister who has the constitutional mandate and swore an oath to serve Nigerian youth.

“By our own judgement maybe it is the AAC that should explain to Nigerians how the bitter narrative orchestrated by one political leader claiming that money was given to leaders of political parties without any proof, as now being re-echoed by the AAC only.

“We wish to state that the AAC has a lot to explain to Nigerians regarding this sinister allegations that it is making as it seems to be part of a script of a bigger political figure that they are playing to.

While we are aware that the AAC is suffering from near irreconcilable factionalization amongst many other internal challenges.

“We advise them to re-direct their energy towards putting their house in order and addressing the issue of impersonation between their warring camps rather than engage in a transfer of aggression towards the FNLYLPPN with baseless accusations and fallacious submissions.”