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ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday used the occasion of a grand reception in Abuja to renew its appeal to Nigerian youths and women, urging them to embrace active participation in politics, defend their future and reject violence before, during and after elections.
The event, held in Abuja on Wednesday night, was organised in honour of the PDP new National Chairman, AbdulRahman Mohammed, whom party leaders described as the youngest person ever to occupy the office in the history of PDP.
In his address, Mohammed said the time had come for the younger generation to speak up constructively and demand their rightful place in national affairs. He stressed that political participation should not be reduced to violence or intimidation, but should instead be channeled into responsibility, dialogue and civic engagement.
“I want to use this opportunity to call attention of the teeming youths and women in our dear nation. It’s not about being a political thuggery. It’s about doing the needful during the election and after the election.”
He said the task before the party and the country was to build a political culture in which young people can raise their concerns and be heard by their leaders, while also ensuring that the next generation is not shut out of decision-making.
“That is the only way that tomorrow we will lay our complaint before our leaders, and we will be listening, and the needful will return.By God’s grace, under my leadership, we will reach out to our elders to make them to understand that the teeming youths are in need, and they are in need of inclusiveness.And by God’s grace, we are going to provide that, so that each and every one of us will have peace, so that our tomorrow will be better.”
Mohammed also praised the party’s youth structures across the country, saying the gesture of organising the programme and presenting awards to him and to the party showed commitment, discipline and loyalty to the PDP cause.
“He further said Initiating the national youth leader of our great party, and the 37 state youth leaders, and six zonal youth leaders of our great party, for initiating this wonderful program and award presentation to myself and to our great party, the People’s Democratic Party, indeed, it’s a great achievement to our party, and it is a sign of success to all of us.”
Also speaking, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said the party had found fresh energy in its youth leadership, insisting that the current moment marked a new phase in the organisation’s life.
“I want to say this, without any contradiction, this is the time PDP has actually got a national youth leader.”
He recalled what he described as a period of inactivity within the youth wing, but said the new leadership had quickly revived the structure and united different interests within the party.
“In the last four years, the youth wing of our party was dossal. I have never seen getting like this. Only three Months in office he is able to bring all the forces together.
So I believe that the prospects of PDP is high. I want to encourage you, for what you have done today, the party is excited, we now have activities that can bring the party together.
People who believe that PDP is no more, that the PDP is dead, I want you to know that PDP is not only been alive, strong but stronger.
I want to use this opportunity to tell the media people, there is only one PDP in Nigeria. There is no Abdulraman Mohammed or Tsunami led faction. It’s not like that. There is only one PDP.”
On his part, the National Youth Leader, Ambassador Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, said young Nigerians were ready to play a more decisive role in the nation’s politics and in the fortunes of the opposition party.
“So Nigerians, it’s time for you to decide. Time is now ours. The young man is on board. The youth are ready. We are assuring all Nigerians that Abdulraman Mohamad is our leader.
The youth are ready and we are even ready to make sure we reclaim our mandate.
So we are now calling all Nigerians who mean business and who are ready and who believe in youth activities, now is the time and we must go out with that wake-up call now.
This party is the highest and the biggest party in Africa until tomorrow. It is still the highest opposition party and by the special grace of God we are going to clear all positions.”
A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Grand Commander of PDP Youth Award to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which was received on his behalf by the Deputy National Chairman, South.
Following the presentation, party stakeholders expressed confidence that the PDP was repositioning itself for a stronger outing in 2027, with the youth wing pledging support for a wider mobilisation drive across the country.
“I want to appreciate all those who took part and brought us here today. I want to say thank you. The national youth leader, you have made us proud.
You have made us proud. I have seen our candidates here today. I have seen their faces, and their faces are bright so also their election will be bright.
What you did today, has given PDP hope that come 2027, we are going to produce so many governors, so many senators, so many House of reps, so many out-of-assembly members.”