Northern youths mobilise members for PDP national convention

Northern Youths Mobilise Members for PDP National Convention

In a significant show of political engagement and solidarity, the Northern Youth Network (NYN) has announced a large-scale mobilisation of young members from the 19 Northern states of Nigeria to participate in the 2025 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention, scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State.

This initiative, spearheaded by the NYN’s National Coordinator, Comrade Sulaiman Yakubu, reflects a renewed commitment among Northern youths to actively shape the future of the PDP and contribute to its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NYN’s mobilisation effort is not merely logistical but symbolic. It underscores a broader political consciousness among young Nigerians, particularly in the North, who are increasingly asserting their role in national party politics.

According to Yakubu, the decision to rally youth participation stems from a desire to pass a vote of confidence in the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. Governor Makinde has been lauded by the group as a paragon of modern governance, praised for his achievements in infrastructure development, fiscal discipline, and youth empowerment. The NYN regards him as a “symbol of competence, transparency, and modern leadership,” and sees his stewardship as a model for the PDP’s future direction.

The convention itself, held from November 15 to 16, 2025, has drawn delegates from across the country, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and other Northern states.

Despite internal party tensions and conflicting court judgments, the PDP has proceeded with the event, citing a recent Supreme Court verdict affirming the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.

This legal backing has emboldened the party’s leadership, particularly the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, to press forward with the convention despite opposition from certain factions.

In parallel, the Forum of Zonal and State Youth Leaders of the PDP has also declared unwavering support for Damagum and the NWC. Led by Comrade Seyi Bamidele, the forum condemned attempts by self-serving political actors to destabilise the party and reaffirmed its loyalty to the current leadership.

The youth leaders emphasised the importance of discipline and unity, warning against conspiratorial actions that threaten the party’s integrity.

The mobilisation by Northern youths is thus part of a broader youth-led movement within the PDP aimed at revitalising the party’s structures and reaffirming its democratic values. It signals a generational shift in political engagement and a desire to reclaim the PDP’s position as a formidable opposition force in Nigeria’s political landscape.

As the convention unfolds, the presence and activism of Northern youths are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s resolutions and future strategies.