APC youth support group urges unity, warns against divisions ahead of 2027 elections

A support group, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Young Stakeholders Forum, has urged members of the party’s youth wing to respect internal processes and refrain from actions capable of deepening divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The call comes days after the party’s National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, faced public scrutiny over a video he posted and later deleted showing seven new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado sport utility vehicles (SUVs) reportedly allocated to youth leaders for campaign activities. The development drew reactions amid questions about the resources being deployed for political mobilisation.

The wife of the president, Remi Tinubu, had also disclosed the provision of utility vehicles for APC youth leaders, alongside campaign materials and footwear.

At a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Shehu Attah, the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, declared the group’s support for Mr Israel and urged party youths to focus on mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election rather than engage in internal disputes.

According to him, the internal disagreements should be resolved through established party channels rather than factional manoeuvres or attempts to establish parallel centres of authority.

Mr Attah said the party’s youth wing must close ranks and focus on mobilising support for Mr Tinubu’s re-election rather than engage in internal disputes.

“We call on all young people in the APC to close ranks and unite behind the National Youth Leader. The need to de-escalate tensions, respect the party’s internal processes, and refrain from actions that could deepen divisions cannot be overemphasised as we head into the thick of the campaign season,” he said.

“The focus should be on uniting to deliver Mr President’s re-election, not internal warfare!”

The forum warned that political ambitions and personal disagreements should not be allowed to undermine recognised party structures, particularly the office of the National Youth Leader.

Mr Attah said disagreements were inevitable in a large political organisation such as the APC but argued that the party’s ability to manage them through established procedures was essential to maintaining internal cohesion.

He urged members to refer disputes to the appropriate party authorities, warning against statements or actions that could create uncertainty over the legitimacy of the youth leadership.

The forum did not identify the individuals or groups it accused of attempting to undermine Mr Israel’s office.

The group passed a vote of confidence in Mr Israel, describing his office as an important link between the party’s leadership and its young members.

Mr Attah said the youth leader had introduced initiatives to engage and equip young party members, including the APC Youth House, the Nest Resource Centre and the Renewed Hope Conversations programme in tertiary institutions.

He also claimed that more than 100 party youths and youth leaders had benefited from overseas training and capacity-building programmes over the past two years.

The forum further commended Mr Israel for facilitating campaign mobilisation vehicles for selected youth leaders, as well as the earlier distribution of buses to other party members.

Mr Attah said the initiatives had helped improve morale within the youth wing and demonstrated efforts to address demands for better recognition and rewards for party members.

He said attempts to weaken the youth leadership through factional disputes could discourage young Nigerians seeking inclusion and opportunities within the party.

The forum called on all contending interests to respect the APC’s internal processes and allow its recognised structures to function without undue interference as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.