Atiku-linked youth group endorses Tinubu for re-election, vows to deliver 10m votes
A youth mobilisation group linked to Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and pledged to mobilise 10 million votes for him in 2027.
The group announced the endorsement in Abuja on Thursday at the national inauguration of The Bridge for Renewed Hope, a political mobilisation platform that also unveiled its structure and formal alignment with the City Boy movement.
Rowland Odih, national coordinator of the group, said several members of the movement, who were previously aligned with Atiku’s political network had decided to support Tinubu because of the administration’s policy direction and commitment to youth inclusion.
Odih said the group would work to deepen youth participation in governance while mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We are going to work, day and night to ensure that we deliver 10 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
“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, but they are laying the foundation for long-term development.”
Odih said ongoing infrastructure projects across the country reflected the administration’s development agenda.
“Across Nigeria today, roads are being constructed. These are not temporary fixes but long-term investments,” he said.
‘TINUBU EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTHS’
Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, said the gathering reflected efforts to deepen youth participation in governance and national development.
Olawande said the federal government remained committed to expanding 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.
Okpokwu Ogeniyi, convener of the Concerned APC Members Forum and chairman of the technical committee of the Renewed Hope Network, said the movement reflected increasing youth participation in politics and governance.
He said the Tinubu administration had deliberately created space for younger Nigerians in government.
“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 said.
He also called for greater youth involvement in tackling insecurity through community-based engagement and sensitisation.
“We must work together to sensitise our communities. Many of those involved in insecurity are young people, and we must redirect them,” he said.
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.
Oluwatosin Shoga, director-general of the City Boy Movement, 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,” Shoga said.
Credit – Cable
