By Innocent Anaba

The Youth Party on Saturday held its National Convention in Abuja, where delegates elected new national officers and ratified congresses conducted across 26 states of the federation.

The convention, held in Abuja, drew delegates from different parts of the country and marked what party leaders described as a major step in strengthening the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among resolutions reached at the convention was the ratification of ward, local government and state congresses earlier conducted in 26 states, alongside the approval of all decisions taken by the National Executive Committee, NEC, since the last convention.

Delegates also elected and swore in a new NEC led by Mr. Abdulrahman Abubakar from Niger State as National Chairman, while Mr. Sadiq Abu from Ogun State emerged as Deputy National Chairman.

Other officers elected include Mr. Sope Durodola from Oyo State as National Financial Secretary, Mrs. Helen Adoh from Kogi State as National Secretary, while Mallam Mujaheed Ahmad of Bauchi State, Mr. Yahaya Maibe of Borno State and Mr. Adeolu Dara of Kwara State emerged as National Executive Officers I, II and III respectively.

Speaking after his inauguration, Abubakar expressed gratitude to delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to uphold the party’s values of accountability, transparency and inclusive governance.
“I am humbled by my election to serve as the substantive Chair of our great party,” he said.

He reiterated the party’s commitment to its “One Member One Vote”, OMOV, principle and equal access to education, healthcare and housing for Nigerians.

Describing the task ahead as demanding, the new chairman identified visibility, finance, communication, mobilisation and internal discipline as critical areas requiring urgent attention.

He outlined five immediate priorities for the new leadership, including conducting free and fair primaries, amending the party’s constitution and manifesto, reviewing Board of Trustees-set Key Performance Indicators, enforcing discipline and securing at least 10 legislative seats in the 2027 elections.

“It’s a marathon and not a sprint,” he told delegates, adding, “I intend to lead as first among equals. I cannot clap with one hand.”

The convention also witnessed reactions from delegates and observers, who commended the conduct of the exercise.

An independent observer described the convention as evidence that “youth-led democracy can be organised, transparent and geographically inclusive,” while a delegate from Gombe State said the ratification process reflected “democracy in its truest form.”

The emergence of Mrs. Helen Adoh as National Secretary drew applause from women delegates at the convention.

Also speaking, the party’s Director of Communications, Solomon Oyekunle, described the gathering as more than a routine political event.

“Today was not a convention, it was a covenant. Every officer sworn in today carries the weight of millions of Nigerians who were told that politics is not for them. We exist to prove otherwise,” he said.

The convention ended in the evening with party leaders expressing optimism about repositioning the party ahead of future electoral contests.