By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Rinsola Abiola, has called on governors and leaders of the All Progressives Congress APC to deliberately support youth and women leadership, warning that the future of the ruling party depends on the effective inclusion of both demographics.

Abiola, a youth and gender advocate, made the call in a message where she also urged young Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing APC membership registration and revalidation exercise to formally join and strengthen the party.

She commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing several young Nigerians into key public offices, describing the move as a significant step toward inclusive governance.

Abiola appealed to governors and party leaders to back youth and women candidates in line with President Tinubu’s stated commitment to broader representation within the party.

“We are grateful for the President’s unwavering commitment to youth inclusion and his clearly stated desire to see women better represented in the party’s leadership. To actualize this vision, we look to you to serve as the catalysts for this change by supporting youth and women candidates. By empowering young, competent and dedicated members, we are securing the future of the APC,” she said.

According to her, active participation by young people is essential to national development, stressing that political engagement cannot be left to chance.

“Politics is not a spectator sports, and governance is not an abstract concept. It is the vehicle through which we determine the quality of our lives,” she said, noting that years of advocacy for youth inclusion were beginning to yield results under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“For years, young Nigerians have advocated for a seat at the table, and under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that table is being expanded with the appointment of several young people into positions of authority. However, seats can only be occupied by those who are present”, she said.

Abiola urged young Nigerians who align with the ideals of the APC to formally enlist in the party, arguing that numerical strength remains critical to influencing internal decisions and national outcomes.

“I hereby urge every young Nigerian who identifies with the APC and believes in a progressive, prosperous Nigeria to go to their ward and register to join the party. Sustained youth inclusion requires coalition building, and it is through our numbers that we will shape the affairs of our party and impact the course of national development,” she stated.

Addressing existing young party members, Abiola encouraged them to revalidate their membership, while placing special emphasis on the need for increased participation by young women in order to close the persistent gender gap in political leadership.

“To the Young Progressives, the ongoing registration exercise presents an opportunity to revalidate your membership of the APC; and to my sisters—young women who identify with the APC across the country: I have always maintained that ‘young women are youths, too’,” she said.

She added that young women occupy a critical intersection between two underrepresented groups and must seize the moment to assert their relevance.

“We stand at the intersection of two vital demographics – women and youths – and our perspectives are indispensable. Do not wait for an invitation to lead; this is your chance to actively contribute towards bridging the gap in women’s representation in political leadership in Nigeria.”

She further challenged young party stalwarts to contest leadership positions during the forthcoming party congresses, noting that the process itself could open doors to future opportunities, even if immediate success is not achieved.

“The upcoming congresses represent a golden opportunity. I encourage you to not only participate as party members and supporters of different aspirants, but to also vie for party leadership positions at varying levels.

“Leadership is earned through strategic engagement, and signifying interest could also help greatly with securing opportunities in future”, she said.