The Youth Party has successfully held its national convention in Abuja, marking a significant milestone for the young and rapidly expanding political movement in Nigeria. The event took place on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, at the Wetland Hotel, drawing delegates from across the federation who gathered in an electrifying atmosphere to elect new national leadership, ratify grassroots congresses, and chart the course for the party's future.
Ratification of Grassroots Congresses
The convention formally ratified the ward, local government, and state congresses conducted across 26 states, a development that underscores the party's deepening roots at the grassroots level. Additionally, all decisions made by the National Executive Committee (NEC) since the last convention were ratified, and newly elected executive committee members were sworn in.
Election of New National Executive Committee
The highlight of the day was the election and swearing-in of a new NEC. Mr. Abdulrahman Abubakar from Niger State emerged as the National Chair, with Mr. Sadiq Abu from Ogun State serving as his Deputy. Other elected officers include Mr. Sope Durodola (Oyo State) as National Financial Secretary; Mrs. Helen Adoh (Kogi State) as National Secretary; and Mallam Mujaheed Ahmad (Bauchi State), Mr. Yahaya Maibe (Borno State), and Mr. Adeolu Dara (Kwara State) as National Executive Officers I, II, and III, respectively.
Acceptance Speech and Vision
In his acceptance speech, the new National Chair expressed profound gratitude. "I am humbled by my election to serve as the substantive Chair of our great Party," he stated, reminding delegates of the party's core values of accountability, transparency, and a politics of reason and reform free from ethnic or religious bias. He reaffirmed the party's commitment to the One Member One Vote principle and its belief in equal access to education, healthcare, and housing for all Nigerians. "It's a marathon and not a sprint," he told the delegates.
Challenges and Priorities
Abubakar highlighted key challenges facing the party, including visibility, finance, communication, mobilization, and discipline, which require urgent attention. He outlined five immediate priorities: conducting free and fair primaries; amending the party's constitution and manifesto; reviewing the Board of Trustees-set Key Performance Indicators; enforcing party discipline; and winning at least 10 legislative seats in the 2027 general elections.
Delegates' Reactions
Delegates and observers expressed unanimous enthusiasm. A delegate from Gombe State described the ratification exercise as "democracy in its truest form." The party's Director of Communications, Solomon Oyekunle, summed up the day's significance: "Today was not a convention, it was a covenant. Every officer sworn in today carries the weight of millions of Nigerians who were told that politics is not for them. We exist to prove otherwise."
