A youth mobilisation group previously associated with the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has announced its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027, pledging to deliver 10 million votes. The group, operating under the platform The Bridge for Renewed Hope, made the declaration at its national inauguration ceremony themed "Connecting the Youth to a Stable Future." The event also featured the formal unveiling of its mobilisation structure and alignment with the City Boy movement.
Defection Announcement
Speaking at the event, National Coordinator of the group, Rowland Odih, stated that members of the movement, many of whom he claimed were formerly aligned with Atiku's political network, had defected to support Tinubu based on the President's visible policy direction and youth inclusion. According to him, the group's objective is to consolidate youth participation in governance and mobilise support for the president ahead of the 2027 election. Odih also claimed that the administration had improved youth representation in governance.
He said: "We are going to work day and night to ensure that we deliver 10 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. About 20 years ago, we started with the Atiku youth structure, but today we are part of a new direction because we have seen leadership that is actionable. We now see a government where young people are part of decision-making. Over 60 per cent of appointments we are seeing are youth-driven. Though some of these policies are painful, they are laying the foundation for long-term development."
Odih argued that ongoing infrastructure projects across the country were evidence of progress. "Across Nigeria today, roads are being constructed. These are not temporary fixes but long-term investments," he said.
Government Support
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the gathering as part of efforts to strengthen youth participation in governance and national development. He said the administration remained committed to youth inclusion, adding that the government was working to expand opportunities for young Nigerians. "This is not just an inauguration. It is a reflection of a movement that seeks to build the future of our country. We will continue to harness the energy, ideas, and talents of young people to support the Renewed Hope Agenda," he said.
Convener of the Concerned APC Members Forum and chairman of the technical committee of the Renewed Hope Network, Comrade Okpokwu Ogeniyi, said the movement reflected growing youth involvement in national politics. He argued that President Tinubu's administration had opened space for younger participation in governance. He also called for youth involvement in addressing insecurity while urging community-level engagement against crime.
"The young people are the leaders of tomorrow, and today we are already in government. Today, we have over 40 per cent youth participation in government structures. It shows a deliberate effort to hand over leadership to the younger generation," Ogeniyi stated. "We must work together to sensitise our communities. Many of those involved in insecurity are young people, and we must redirect them," he added.
Symbolic Handover
The event featured a symbolic handover of flags between the Bridge for Renewed Hope and the City Boy Movement, a pro-Tinubu political mobilisation group. Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Oluwatosin Shoga, received the group into the broader Tinubu support structure. "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to youth empowerment and economic reforms. He listens to young people and he acts. That is why we are confident in the direction of this administration," he said.
