A fresh political controversy is brewing within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a northern youth coalition has threatened to mobilise support groups across the region against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid over what it described as the marginalisation of northern youths in party affairs and political appointments.
The warning followed a high-level meeting between the leadership of the North-West APC Youth Stakeholders Forum, led by its Coordinating Chairman, Hon. Bashir Ruma, and the national leadership of the Arewa Democratic Youth Stakeholders Forum.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Amb. Salawudeen Shaibu Planner, the forum alleged that northern youths have been systematically excluded from strategic youth leadership positions within the APC and government structures.
According to the group, the perceived exclusion has created growing dissatisfaction among young people in the North and could have implications for party unity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The forum announced the appointment of Hon. Haruna Sardauna and Mallam Idiriss Jibrin as coordinators for the North-East and North-Central zones respectively, with a mandate to engage APC support groups and stakeholders across the regions.
It said the coordinators would lead consultations aimed at resisting what it described as attempts to sideline Arewa-led support groups and to advocate greater inclusion of northern youths in political decision-making.
The group further disclosed that it had directed 1,378 registered APC support group leaders across the three northern geopolitical zones, the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory to begin consultations on withdrawing support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid unless their grievances are addressed.
A major plank of the forum’s complaint was its allegation that Barrister Seyi Tinubu, son of President Tinubu, has played a dominant role in shaping youth political structures in a manner that excludes northern youths.
The forum claimed that appointments and leadership positions in youth-related political and governmental institutions have disproportionately favoured individuals from the South-West, creating feelings of exclusion among many northern youths.
It also questioned the recognition allegedly accorded to certain youth movements, including the City Boy Movement and the Relax, Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria Movement, arguing that support groups led by northern youths have not received equal consideration.
The group alleged that northern APC support groups were being compelled to work through organisations it described as Yoruba-led movements, a development it said amounted to discrimination against northern youths.
“We want Seyi Tinubu to know that Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the APC belongs to all Nigerians. Arewa gave his father substantial votes during the 2023 election and deserves equal respect and inclusion,” the statement read.
Hon. Bashir Ruma urged northern youth leaders to remain united and peaceful while pursuing what he described as a legitimate demand for equitable representation and participation in party affairs.
He maintained that the movement was not intended to undermine the APC but to strengthen democratic participation and ensure that every region has a voice in national youth affairs.
The forum argued that northern voters played a crucial role in the APC’s victory in the 2023 general elections and insisted that such contributions should be reflected in political appointments and leadership opportunities for youths from the region.
Warning of possible political consequences if the concerns remain unresolved, the group said growing dissatisfaction among northern youths could weaken party cohesion and affect mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
The forum therefore called on President Tinubu to promote national unity by ensuring that appointments and political opportunities reflect Nigeria’s diversity and give all regions a sense of belonging.
