The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the 10 days nationwide protest calls for a sober reflection on the state of the country.
The ADC national chairman, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, said this in a speech to commemorate the 2024 World Youth Day with the theme: “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.”
Nwosu, noted that the timing coincidence between the World Youth and the recent protests, signals a clarion call to all patriots, young and old, on the need to ditch the inglourious years and chart a new trajectory for the nation.
He said with hunger, unemployment and poverty ravaging over 60% of the populace while their political leaders lavish in opulence, the people had to resort to #EndBadGovernance protest.
“Yes, frustrated by the attitude of people in authority and the APC establishment, the youths who are not ordinarily prone to protests have to vent their anger.
“I use this opportunity to commensurate with the immediate families of those who lost their lives during the protest, and condole the entire Nigerian youths. These ‘citizen patriotic’ will certainly not die in vain.
“Coincidentally, the 10 days protest steeps into the eve of the 2024 world’s youth day. This calls for a more conscientious reflection to make sure that this commemoration heralds the end to our lamentations and years of gloom. How did we get here? 25 years into our democracy with APC and PDP on the driver’s seat tells the story.
“However, agonising over these two and other institutions that brought us this low, does not provide the solution. But we must be aware of them and their decadent values in order to make progress.
“The time coincidence signals a clarion call to all patriots, young and old, that it is time to ditch the inglourious years, and chart a new trajectory to the nation of our dream.
“I hope you agree with me, that the 10-day protest coupled with the 2024 International Youth Day and its theme, sound loud enough warning and gives the redemption leeway for Nigeria to arise and shine,” the party chairman said.
The national chairman said the party will unveil aspects of ADC strategic compass to assure the youths and indeed all stakeholders about the party’s readiness to lead with integrity from the front.
He said “The following have been lined up till the end of 2024; A reflective essay competition for young persons of ages 16 to 25, on the theme “Co-creating The Nigeria of our dream; Hosting of the ‘You Spoke; We Listened Town hall Reflection Series; Inauguration of the ADC Continental Youth Council on Thursday, August 22nd; Handshake and Thumb Revolution campaign; Mea culpa & contract with Nigerians to lead with integrity and high ethical standards; and Consolidation of all coalition arrangements.”
He added that ADC has always stood in solidarity with the youth, adding that INEC records for two consecutive elections showed that ADC fielded the greatest numbers of Youth and women during the 2019 and 2023 general elections.
“In 2023, 75% of ADC candidates are between the ages of 25 and 35 years. Comrade Nixon Odimbu the National Youth Leader and Hauwa Yussuf, She-National Youth Leader are already on overdrive for youth mobilisation. We use this opportunity to invite the youths of Nigeria to take ownership of ADC.
“Our youth strategy is meant to leave no one in doubt that ADC recognizes their power as change catalysts and true owners and vanguards of today and the future of Nigeria. Our transformational leadership and handshake philosophy align with not just the dreams and desires of all youths and patriots, they are in sync with the yearning of the youths and in harmony with 2024 World Youth Fay strategic goal. ADC is building structures nationwide to be the credible and audacious party that will deliver for all and dare the agents of impunity, political corruption and disingenuous democracy gate crashers. We are structured to defend your victories which come assured with your over 75% of the voting population.
“You have spoken, I am sure you are not in doubt that ADC has heard. Working together, let’s resolve to build a model country. Rather than moan and/or mourn in despair, I encourage all Nigeria youths to challenge themselves with this year’s theme and become the catalyst for Nigeria and Africa’s renaissance. Yes, you can,” he said.
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