Defend Democracy or Risk Reversal: APC Chairman Yilwatda Rallies Nigerian Youths Amid Reform Push

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has issued a strong call to Nigerian youths to take an active role in defending and strengthening the country’s democracy, warning that failure to do so could expose the nation to political regression and instability.
In a press statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda described young Nigerians as the backbone of the nation’s democratic future, urging them to resist manipulation by political actors driven by narrow personal ambitions.
He stressed that Nigeria is at a critical juncture, where the commitment of its youthful population—particularly those between the ages of 25 and 55—will determine the sustainability of ongoing reforms and the preservation of democratic gains.
“ Nigeria’s democracy is at a defining moment. The responsibility to defend and consolidate it rests heavily on our youth, who possess the energy, innovation, and patriotic zeal required to move the nation forward,” the statement read.
Yilwatda cautioned against what he described as emerging political movements aimed at misleading citizens and undermining the reform agenda of the current administration. According to him, individuals seeking power without credible policy alternatives pose a significant threat to national stability.
Highlighting the internal structure of the APC, the chairman noted that the party has evolved into a youth-driven political platform, with over 50 per cent of its membership comprising young Nigerians. He described this as a deliberate strategy to promote inclusion, leadership renewal, and generational transition within the political space.
In what he termed a historic milestone, Yilwatda pointed to his emergence as National Chairman as evidence of the party’s commitment to youth empowerment. He said the decision to entrust leadership to a younger figure reflects confidence in the capacity of Nigeria’s next generation to navigate governance challenges and drive national development.
The APC, he added, is positioning itself as a forward-looking institution aligned with the country’s demographic realities, leveraging youthful energy, innovation, and resilience to advance democratic ideals and economic progress.
Yilwatda, however, warned that entrusting the nation’s future to political actors focused solely on personal ambition—particularly those eyeing the presidency “at all costs”—could reverse hard-earned gains and plunge the country back into uncertainty.
He acknowledged that the ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have imposed short-term challenges on citizens but insisted that they are necessary steps toward long-term economic stability and prosperity.
According to him, early indicators suggest that the reforms are beginning to yield positive outcomes, including improved fiscal stability and renewed investor confidence.
The APC chairman further cited commendations from global institutions such as the World Bank, noting that international recognition of Nigeria’s policy direction is helping to reposition the country in the global economic landscape.
He said the reform measures—ranging from foreign exchange adjustments to subsidy removal and investment liberalisation—are already attracting increased interest in key sectors including energy, infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing.
“Investor confidence is gradually being restored. From renewed commitments in the oil and gas sector to growing interest in Nigeria’s digital economy and infrastructure space, the signs are clear that the country is on a path to recovery and growth,” he stated.
Reinforcing his message, Yilwatda underscored the strategic importance of an informed and politically engaged youth population, describing it as the strongest safeguard against democratic backsliding.
He concluded by urging Nigerian youths to remain vigilant, actively participate in governance processes, and take ownership of the nation’s democratic journey to ensure a stable and prosperous future.