The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Leader, Malam Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, says Nigerian youths are ready to reclaim their mandates in the 2027 general elections.
Bala-Aboki stated this during a grand dinner reception held in honour of Abdulrahman Mohammed as the youngest National Chairman in the history of PDP, on Wednesday night in Abuja.
He said that Mohammed’s emergence had renewed the confidence of young people across the nation, signalling that the time had come for the younger generation to take charge of the country’s political landscape.
“I want to call on all Nigerian youths to know that if we are serious, today is the day we launch a campaign by the youngest national chairman of PDP.
“With him, we have the highest number of youths in the Senate as candidates, the highest number of youths as gubernatorial candidates and the highest number in the National Assembly as young men.
“The youth are ready to make sure we reclaim our mandate. We are going into the field,” he said.
While congratulating Mohammed on his emergence, Bala-Aboki described him as a dedicated party man who had consistently distinguished himself as a grassroots mobiliser, with a unique energy for networking and political engagement.
“Over the years, Mohammed has demonstrated an uncommon ability to bridge divides, unite interests and connect seamlessly with party elders, women leaders and the teeming membership of our great party.
“His rise to leadership is not accidental. From serving diligently as the PDP State Organising Secretary in the FCT and PDP National Vice-Chairman (North-Central) to his vast administrative exposure within the National Assembly, he has built strong relationships.
“He has cross-cutting relationships across diverse political and institutional interests, refining his leadership capacity and strengthening his political exposure.
“Today, we are celebrating the youngest national chairman ever in the history of the PDP.
“You will bear me witness that from the inception of the PDP in 1998 to date, we have never had a young man like him at the helm,” he said.
The youth leader praised the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his foresight and purposeful leadership, noting that his commitment to youth inclusion was instrumental in Mohammed’s emergence.
In his remarks, the PDP National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, dismissed reports of leadership factions within the party, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) records and court judgments had settled the matter.
“There is only one PDP in Nigeria. There is no Abdulrahman Mohammed or Tsunami-led faction.
“Just yesterday, INEC exposed those lies. There is only one PDP, led by the National Chairman, Mohammed. Every case about the PDP has ended at the Supreme Court,” Anyanwu said.
He expressed optimism about PDP’s future, predicting that the party would reclaim several states, including Gombe, Bauchi, Abia and Oyo in 2027.
Anyanwu also stated that many lawmakers who had defected were already planning their return to the party.
He commended the youth wing of the party for organising the reception, noting that while the wing had been inactive over the last four years, it had been revived under Bala-Aboki’s leadership.
Responding, the PDP national chairman dedicated his award to the youth and members of the party across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
The 52-year-old Mohammed urged young Nigerians to shun political thuggery and focus instead on meaningful engagements during and after elections to secure their future.
“Under my leadership, I will make PDP a greater and higher place for all of us. Even those who defected are finding their way back to the party today.
“By God’s grace, under the leadership of our leader, Wike, we are going to do everything possible to ensure we have a stable party from the ward, local government and state levels up to the national level,” Mohammed said.
He advised state and local government chapters to strictly discharge their duties in accordance with the party’s constitution and INEC regulations to prevent internal crises.
The Newsmen report that highlight of the event was the presentation of the Grand Commander of PDP Youth Award to the FCT minister, which was received on his behalf by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South).
In his remarks, the Bauchi State PDP governorship candidate for 2027, Alhaji Usman Adamu, hailed Mohammed’s emergence as the youngest national chairman in the party’s history.
He described the emergence as a massive encouragement for young Nigerians and a testament to the PDP providing genuine opportunities for youth leadership.
Newsmen also report that the event was attended by party stakeholders, national leaders, state youth leaders, various legislative and governorship candidates as well as a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami.