2027 general election will be influenced by conscience, not sentiments – AD
By Our Correspondent
The National Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Balarabe Rufai, says 2027 general election will be influenced by people’s conscience, not tribes or geo political zones sentiments.
Rufai stated this when he received a delegation of the Coalition for Nigerian Youths in Politics (CONYIP) at the ADC secretariat in Abuja.
He said that in 2027, Nigerians would not vote based on sentiments but based on their consciil.
“Let me also assure you, anyone you see standing with the ADC coalition today is a Nigerian with conscience.
“That’s the difference now. This is no longer about tribes or geo political zones. It is now between those who have a conscience and those who do not. And that is what 2027 election will be about,” he said.
Rufai described ADC as a party of ordinary Nigerians, with strong youth based.
He said one of the reasons the national coalition adopted ADC was because it was not a political party driven by religion, ethnicity, or regional sentiment.
“The ADC is not a northern party. It is not a southern party. It is not a Muslim or Christian party. The ADC is a party for ordinary Nigerians — for all Nigerians,” he said.
Rufai expressed the ADC’s commitment to inclusive participation for the youth, expressing confidence that the youth would give the party the needed support to rescue power from the ruling party in 2027.
“The party is committed to affirmative action, reserving 40 per cent of all elective and appointed positions for the youth. That is why the coalition adopted ADC as the platform for real change,” he said.
Rufai, calling for government’s genuine commitments to youth development, also urged the youth to lead the politics in 2027.
He emphasised the need for change of mind set, saying “things cannot continue the way they’ve always been. This is not business as usual.
“We want to rebuild our politics to take it from being a money-making venture to being a service to the people. And this change must begin with the youth wing. That’s why we’re in the ADC.
“Let me say this clearly: ADC will not operate like the others. We are sanitizing our internal politics and the entire country..
Earlier in his remarks, the Convener of CONYIP, Nnamdi Ezemagu, commended the ADC for appointing Rufai as its National youth leader, describing the appointment as “a square peg in a square hole.
Ezemagu urged other political parties to emulate ADC in promoting youth participation in politics, saying the youth will support parties that identify with them.
“Like Oliver Twist, we appeal for more of this kind of positioning for the Youths as we move towards the next election circle.
“Equally, we use this medium to call on other political parties to emulate the ADC by identifying actual and renowned youth leaders who have served in statutory capacities within established superstructures of the youth.
“Superstructures such as the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Youth Parliament, National Association of Nigerian Students, etc., and empower such young persons politically.
“We wish to assert here that this time around, Nigerian Youths shall shine our eyes, and only support parties that recognise and support us.
“Going forward, it will be a partnership relationship and a relationship of mutual benefits across the board. Days of use and dump are over,” Ezemagu said.(https://newsatlarge.ng)