Youth Group Moves Against Violence, Targets 2035 Presidency

The Youth Creative Consortium (YCC) has intensified its campaign against violence and insecurity, declaring that its long-term strategy of youth empowerment and political engagement will culminate in producing Nigeria’s president in 2035.

The group’s convener, Blaise Kizito-Ndukwe, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the organisation’s first-anniversary town hall, where he outlined a dual agenda: combating violence through structured youth engagement and preparing young leaders to take over political leadership.

Ndukwe said the YCC’s core mandate is to tackle insecurity by “Silencing the Guns” — a peace-building initiative aimed at preventing vulnerable youths from drifting into violence through creativity, innovation and structured programmes.

“The mandate is clear. We are transferring the Silencing the Guns initiative through creativity to our continental, regional, national and state leaders. You must take this to your communities and engage progress through non-competitive approaches. Safe engagements, structured youth programmes and conflict prevention are key. Silencing the Guns begins long before conflict escalates — it begins with inclusion, empowerment and responsible leadership,” he said.

He clarified that the movement is not focused on disarming armed groups but on preventing young people from becoming involved in violent activities in the first place.

“We are not here to disarm those already with guns; we aim to prevent potential handlers of arms. What began as a bold idea has, within 12 months, become a continental youth-driven peace model,” he added.

According to him, the YCC remains non-partisan but politically conscious, with a clear vision to shape national leadership by 2035.

“Youth are the leaders of today, not tomorrow. YCC is training young innovators to create and lead effectively, laying a strong foundation for political leadership in 2035,” Ndukwe declared.

Projecting confidence in the group’s political ambition, he stated, “Very soon we will unleash them. 2035 will happen. They will see. They will be disappointed. What I am sure of is, our dear President Bola Tinubu will win in 2027; whoever he hands over to in 2031 will not get a second term. YCC will take over from that person.”

He further disclosed that the group would begin its political engagement by participating actively in the 2027 general elections as observers.

“We will be fully involved in the 2027 general elections, deploying election observers across all 774 local government areas,” he said.

He added that the organisation had launched permanent training programmes in Ogun and Lagos States, established structures nationwide, and deployed members as short-term election observers in Guinea-Bissau and Egypt, as well as at the United Nations General Assembly. It also contributed to AU-led peacekeeping efforts in Liberia and hosted a Peace and Security Council simulation for over 40 Nigerian university students.

Ndukwe announced that YCC 2.0 would be hosted in East Africa by mid-2026, focusing on student unions and universities, with continued African Union support.

Former Senator Shehu Sani, who spoke at the event, urged young people to channel their energies towards constructive political participation rather than mere protest.

“Every generation must discover its mission, define its priorities and pursue them. YCC provides a platform to unite young people and encourage progressive, prosperous and significant dreams that contribute to individual and national prosperity,” he said.

He advised youths to seek opportunities within Nigeria rather than risking dangerous migration routes abroad.

Listing prominent Nigerian entrepreneurs such as Aliko Dangote, Rabiu Abdulsamad, Cosmas Maduka, Femi Otedola and Tony Elumelu, he stressed that economic success was attainable within the country.