The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has fired back at comments by the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, who dismissed the party as ‘irrelevant’ and led by immature youths.

Kana-Zuru made the remarks on Saturday during the flag-off of fertiliser and farm input distribution by the member representing Bagudo/Suru Federal Constituency, Bello Ka’oje, in Kaoje town, Bagudu Local Government Area.

In a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, ADC state chairman Alhaji Bala Sufiyanu described the APC chair’s comments as a sign of desperation amid what he called growing public dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s performance both in Kebbi State and nationwide.

“The consequences of policies introduced by the APC government are glaring and have engulfed all Nigerians. Poverty levels have risen under the APC administration in Kebbi and Nigeria as a whole. Farmers face insecurity and poor market access, youth unemployment has increased, and basic infrastructure projects have stalled.

“Instead of addressing these issues, the APC has chosen to attack the only party offering a new vision for Kebbi and Nigeria based on integrity, inclusion, and competence,” Sufiyanu said.

Reacting to the APC chairman’s claim that the ADC is run by youths, Sufiyanu defended the capacity of young leaders, saying the party deliberately champions the involvement of agile and innovative youths in governance.

“We have youths that led this country in the past, including former Heads of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who assumed office at 31; Gen. Murtala Mohammed at 37; and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at 41.

“Vision, not age, defines leadership, and it’s a youth-driven structure that reflects energy, innovation, and courage, which the state needs more than the current recycled politicians,” he stated.

Sufiyanu assured residents that the ADC is committed to ending politics without accountability in the state.

“The days of politics without accountability are numbered, and Kebbi’s future belongs to the youths,” he declared.