The African Democratic Congress has pledged to uphold democratic principles and reject political imposition, special privileges, and unaccountable governance, according to its National Chairman, Senator David Mark.
Speaking at the 2025 International Youth Day celebration organized by the ADC National Youth Wing in Abuja, Mark emphasized the party’s commitment to serving as a principled alternative for Nigeria’s disillusioned youth and progressives.
Represented by Salihu Lukman, a former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Mark declared that the ADC would prioritize internal democracy, transparency, and fairness.
“Under my leadership, ADC will be committed to genuine democratic values, rejecting imposition, special privileges, and politics without accountability. Internal democracy, transparency, and fairness will remain our guiding principles,” he stated.
The event, themed “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” brought together political figures, youth leaders, and advocates for progressive change. Mark outlined the party’s vision for a new chapter built on unity, courage, and national service, with a strong emphasis on youth and women’s inclusion. “ADC is your home. We are opening the doors for the next generation, not as a gesture, but as a commitment,” he said, promising that 35% of leadership positions would be reserved for women while ensuring significant roles for Nigerians under 40.
ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufa’i, urged young Nigerians to demand accountability from leaders and take action to drive change. “If we, the youth of Nigeria, cannot change our streets, we will never change our country. ADC is ready to give young Nigerians a seat at the table; not as decoration, but as decision-makers,” he asserted.
Rufa’i criticized the government’s failure to address pressing issues such as youth unemployment, insecurity, and educational decline, calling it a “moral crime.” He lamented, “Nigeria’s leaders say, ‘You are the leaders of tomorrow.’ But for too long, tomorrow has been postponed.” He outlined ADC’s policy plans, including job creation, educational reform, and community-based security solutions. “We will bring security to our communities not by empty promises, but by empowering local security structures and addressing root causes,” he added.
The youth leader also called for national unity among young Nigerians, urging them to transcend ethnic and regional divisions. “If the 25-year-old in Bauchi joins hands with the 30-year-old in Ibadan and the 22-year-old in Enugu, no political godfather can stop us,” he declared.
The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad, who encouraged youths to actively participate in governance rather than remain passive observers. “Today, we urge you to use yourselves, not as bystanders, but as architects of change,” he said. “The ADC welfare ideology aligns perfectly with the vision of a Nigeria where every young person is an active participant in shaping policies, and not just a passive recipient.”
A panel discussion included insights from Dr. Ladan Salihu, Hon. Abdullahi Hussaini Maibasira, and Jackie Wayas, further reinforcing the call for youth engagement in governance and policy-making.
