By Chesa Chesa
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has praised the party’s internal reforms and growing youth base, declaring it a model for democratic leadership in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja shortly after his screening by the party’s convention committee, the chairman said the APC had distinguished itself by strengthening due process and institutional integrity.
“In APC, everybody is a subject of the system and how it operates,” he said. “You’ve made the system more transparent, more organized, and ensured that the system prevails over individuals.”
He commended members of the convention and screening committees for what he described as a disciplined and coordinated process, noting the absence of internal conflicts often seen in other political parties.
“Unlike other parties where committees argue and make contrarian statements, we have not seen such divisions. That is a credit to the leadership and structure we’ve built,” he added.
The chairman also expressed appreciation to party stakeholders, including governors, lawmakers, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for their support over the past eight months of his leadership.
Highlighting the party’s growth, he revealed that new membership registration data shows the APC is increasingly youth-driven. According to him, about 50 percent of party members are between the ages of 18 and 35, while only 18 percent are above 50.
“This clearly shows that we are the most youthful party in the country and that we have a strong future,” he said, adding that young people dominate attendance at party rallies and meetings, as well as representation in elective offices.
He noted that many of the youngest lawmakers in the National Assembly were elected on the APC platform, underscoring the party’s commitment to inclusiveness. The chairman also acknowledged the need to improve women’s representation, pointing to efforts to implement a 35 percent affirmative action target within party structures.
On electoral performance, he said the APC remains the only political party with a presence across all six geopolitical zones, citing recent by-election victories in areas including Kano, Adamawa, the South-West, South-South, and South-East.
“No political party has achieved this spread in the last year. It shows the reach and strength of our party”, he said.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who was also screened, pledged to deepen internal cohesion and ensure fairness across all levels of the party, and disclosed that the committee also charged him to promote justice and equity among members.
Highlighting achievements under his stewardship, he said the party had witnessed “salutary developments,” including a significant membership drive that increased its base to about 12 million. He added that the APC had also improved the efficiency of its national secretariat and enhanced the organization of party primaries and activities through what he described as a seamless and competent administrative process.
Looking ahead, the aspirant emphasized the need to consolidate the party’s gains by activating all its structures, from polling units to the national convention.
