The National Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Balarabe Rufai, has declared that the 2027 general elections will be a battle between Nigerians guided by conscience and those driven by personal or political gain.
Speaking on Saturday at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja, Rufai made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the Coalition for Nigerian Youths in Politics (CONYIP). He stressed that Nigerian youths are the backbone of the party and expressed confidence that with their support, President Bola Tinubu would be unseated in the next election.
“This is no longer about tribes or geopolitical zones,” Rufai stated. “It is now between those who have a conscience and those who do not. And that is what the 2027 election will be about.”
He revealed that several leaders within the ADC coalition had resisted attempts by the current administration to co-opt them through offers of contracts and political appointments.
“Some of our leaders have been approached by the current administration with offers of contracts and appointments, but they rejected them. They said ‘Enough is enough.’ That’s why we trust them,” Rufai said. “But even with that trust, let me be clear—we will not idolise them. Democracy is about participation and accountability. We will correct them. We will speak up if they go astray.”
Rufai explained that the coalition of opposition parties chose the ADC because it stood out as a party free from religious, ethnic, and regional bias.
“For two years, the search was on for a party that was truly national. The ADC met the standard. It is not a northern party. It is not a southern party. It is not a Muslim or Christian party. The ADC is a party for ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of youth in the party’s structure, Rufai emphasized that 40% of all elected and appointed positions within the ADC would be reserved for young people.
“The suffering Nigerian youths are the strength of the ADC. That is what will unseat President Tinubu in 2027,” he added. “This administration has no serious plan for youth empowerment. Just look at the figures—only ₦14 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Youth in the current national budget. NYSC received ₦29 billion, and that’s mostly for administration, not for development.”
Rufai also criticised the student loan scheme introduced by the Federal Government, saying many students who applied have not received any funds. “The student loan scheme is a failure. Youths are frustrated. This administration has failed the youth, and it’s time for a reset.”
He urged young Nigerians to reject politics as a money-making enterprise and instead embrace it as a platform for service.
“We are here to change the narrative,” he declared. “We want to rebuild politics into a tool for nation-building, not for self-enrichment. That change must begin with the youth wing. ADC is leading the charge, and we are sanitising our internal politics and the entire country.”
In his remarks, the Convener of CONYIP, Nnamdi Ezemagu, praised the ADC for giving young people meaningful roles and said other parties should take note.
“Judging by the track record of the new National Youth Leader, the ADC has made the right choice,” Ezemagu said. “We urge other political parties to emulate the ADC and give leadership roles to proven youth leaders from platforms like the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Youth Parliament, and NANS.”
He issued a strong message on behalf of Nigerian youths: “This time around, Nigerian youths shall shine our eyes. It will no longer be about empty promises. We will only support political parties that recognise and empower us. The days of ‘use and dump’ are over.”
