As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 normal elections, the nationwide publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has stated years of failed management and flawed electoral processes have disconnected younger Nigerians from lively political participation.
In an interview with LEADERSHIP SUNDAY in Abuja, Abdullahi stated the frustration started in 2011 when youths rallied behind former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, after his well-known comment, “I had no footwear.”
“The message gave younger Nigerians hope that anybody might rise from grass to grace,” he stated, “However their expectations had been dashed when the end result of that administration didn’t ship actual change.”
The previous minister stated the youths once more mobilised in 2014 behind Muhammadu Buhari, believing his ‘Baba mai gaskiya’ slogan would convey integrity to governance.
“Lots of them weren’t born throughout his navy rule however believed the tales of his self-discipline and honesty,” Abdullahi stated, “Sadly, they had been once more upset when no actual change was achieved.”
He stated the failure of the Buhari administration to fulfill public expectations gave rise to the #EndSARS motion, which later grew right into a broader protest in opposition to unhealthy governance and claimed many younger lives.
Abdullahi added that the 2023 normal elections additional deepened the youth’s lack of religion within the system, because the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) failed to fulfill public expectations on transparency.
“The aftermath of that election disconnected the youth from nationwide politics and pushed them again to ethnic and spiritual strains,” he stated.
He lamented that many younger Nigerians now see the nation as their “third identification”, after ethnicity and faith, reflecting a lack of belief within the political class.
Nonetheless, Abdullahi maintained that events just like the ADC are working to rebuild that confidence.
“Till Nigerian youths see a authorities that really listens and consists of them, hope will stay a mirage,” he added.
