The Youth Wing of the Labour Party has opened discussions on a possible political alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Renewed Hope Movement, the City Boy Movement and Tinubu Support Groups, with a view to declaring support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
According to a statement on Saturday by the Edo State Youth Leader, Comrade Ken Omusi, the proposal emerged at a virtual meeting held by the group on Friday.
The statement said the meeting was attended by the Labour Party National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, members of the National Youth Leadership, National Zonal Youth Leaders and State Youth Leaders.
It said participants at the meeting reviewed the party’s political direction amid its prolonged crisis, and the future of youth participation in national governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement said several youth leaders said they felt the youth constituency was inadequately recognised, neglected and poorly engaged, and that it received no support during and after the 2023 general elections.
According to the statement, they argued that their efforts for a presidential candidate who lacked the skills to consolidate gains were in vain.
“They stressed the need for a political platform and a leader that would offer greater opportunities for youth participation, leadership development, economic empowerment and inclusion in national decision-making,” the statement added.
It disclosed that the meeting also considered the policies and programmes of President Tinubu’s administration, particularly in human capital development, youth empowerment, economic reforms, infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, agriculture and workers’ welfare. Participants expressed varying views on these issues and their implications for Nigeria’s sustainable development.
The statement said after extensive deliberations, the youth leaders asked Prince Ahanotu to begin consultations with immediate effect with relevant stakeholders in the APC, the Renewed Hope Movement, the City Boy Movement and the Tinubu Support Group.
The aim, it said, was to explore the prospects of a political alignment and possible collaboration ahead of the 2027 elections.
It said participants also expressed confidence in Prince Ahanotu’s leadership and mandated him to facilitate the proposed alignments, while stressing the importance of broad-based consultations and consensus-building among the youth leadership.
The statement said the meeting further proposed a physical gathering of Labour Party youth leaders in Abuja, on a mutually agreed date, to review the outcome of the consultations and decide the next steps on the proposed re-alignment.
“The proposed engagement reflects an ongoing dialogue within the party’s youth constituency on political participation, strategic partnerships and the role of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s political and developmental future,” the statement noted.
