The National Youth Leader of the (ADC), Balarabe Rufa’i has issued an official clarification following a public disclaimer earlier released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, regarding the proposed Nationwide Young Aspirants’ Seminar.
In a statement released on Sunday, Rufa’i explained that the seminar was not a unilateral initiative from his office but a programme conceived and organized by young aspirants of the party across the country who sought to prepare themselves for responsible political participation.
According to him, the aspirants voluntarily formed committees, including a finance committee, to coordinate activities and manage contributions transparently.
The youth leader further disclosed that before any public announcement of the seminar, a formal letter notifying the party leadership of the initiative was submitted to the office of the National Chairman of the ADC, with an acknowledged copy received.
Rufa’i noted that the disclaimer issued by Abdullahi may have arisen from incomplete information or a lack of prior consultation with offices that had already been notified about the initiative.
He emphasized that a simple internal clarification with the office of the National Chairman or the Directorate of the Aspirants and Candidates College would have provided the necessary context before a public statement was made.
While expressing respect for Abdullahi as a senior party leader, the ADC youth leader cautioned that public statements questioning youth-led initiatives without verifying the facts could discourage young members who remain active in grassroots mobilization for the party nationwide.
Rufa’i also raised concerns about what he described as limited youth representation in some recently constituted party committees, including the Constitution Review Committee, the MMRR Committee, and the 50 Wise Men Manifesto Committee.
According to him, the youth wing remains committed to strengthening the party through mobilization and leadership development in line with the party’s constitutional provision encouraging greater participation of young people and women.
He confirmed that the Young Aspirants’ Seminar is scheduled to hold from March 25 to 27, 2026, and that further information about the programme would be communicated through appropriate party channels.
The statement reaffirmed the loyalty of the ADC Youth Wing to the party leadership and its commitment to expanding grassroots participation and preparing credible young leaders for public service.
