President Bola Tinubu has stressed the urgent need to harness the potential of youths in Nigeria and across Africa, warning that political leaders who fail to create opportunities for young people risk losing public support.
Speaking on Thursday night during a panel session on the sidelines of the 13th Africa CEO Forum in Rwanda, Tinubu described Nigerian youths as energetic, ambitious and unwilling to tolerate excuses from leaders.
The President said governments must create an enabling environment that allows young people to thrive and take advantage of available opportunities, while politicians must remain accountable to citizens.
“We have a very dynamic youthful population, restless and not ready to accept any excuses. I am a politician, if I don’t prepare them for that (opportunities), they will vote me out,” Tinubu stated.
He emphasized that properly engaging and empowering young people remains crucial for sustainable growth and development across the continent.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has called on aspirants and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to maintain peace and unity as the party begins its nationwide primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a personally signed statement on Thursday, the President described the commencement of the APC primaries as a significant milestone for the ruling party, noting that it marks the fourth election cycle since the party’s formation.
Tinubu said the APC was founded on the principles of progressive politics, consensus democracy, selflessness and party loyalty, values he urged members to uphold throughout the primary process.
“I note the impressive progress made in this regard and encourage fellow party members to make the most of this window to ensure a seamless process and a more unified party,” he said.
The President, however, advised aspirants to approach the primaries with sportsmanship where consensus arrangements fail, warning against actions capable of undermining party cohesion.
