Osinbajo Seeks APC Youth’s Involvement in Grassroots Mobilisation

Deji Elumoye

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the youth arm of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to brace up and build a stronger membership base from the grassroots by mobilizing young Nigerians across the country to join the party beginning from the ward level.

Osinbajo made this call Monday while playing host to the members APC National Youth Lobby Group, who were at the State House, Abuja to present the report of the party’s Youth Conference held in June. Welcoming the idea of young people in the party forming the group, the Vice President stressed that the lobby group will need to deal with the issue of inclusion at the grassroots first.

According to him, “today, the APC can win elections, why not, we have a very popular President who can control significant votes, we have partners everywhere.

“Whereas, in the coming years, when we do not have such a political leader who is as popular as the President, you are going to need to do the hard work. We can’t assume that the votes will all come in.”

Speaking on the role of APC youths, Osinbajo said “your group is more relevant today than ever before because you are not only representing young people, but you have the energy to make sure that this party actually works for all Nigerians.”

“One of the great opportunities that we have is that we have young people like yourselves who are interested enough in politics. All of you already have shown your capacities in various ways, those who are in government have shown that they can do stuff.

“So, the next hard work now is how to get the younger people in our communities, in our society into this party and to see themselves as part of this party, in their hundreds of thousands, in their millions, that is the next thing to do. I hope that you will apply your resources and energy to do this”.

Osinbajo emphasised that though the political environment is complicated, the youths can get things done by their consistency and tenacity demonstrated in all aspects of political party engagements.

Earlier in his presentation, the leader of the APC National Youth Lobby Group, Ismail Ahmed thanked the Vice President for being a consistent voice and supporter of youths regardless of political affiliations, but appealed for more youth integration in the affairs of the party across all levels.

According to him, “you have always been an advocate for young people, we want you, sir, to be vociferous this time around. Please be our voice, be our advocate and champion in everything that you will be doing both in government and in the party.

“This party (APC) is ours, but how we will do as leaders tomorrow depends on how well we are trained as followers, today.”