Youth leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) across the 17 local government areas of Enugu state on Saturday, May 23, declared support for one of the party’s aspirant in the upcoming presidential primaries.
The ADC primaries has former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and top banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen as aspirants.
Speaking at a press conference in Enugu, the youth leaders, led by Festus Ifesinachi Omeh, said they believed the presidency should remain in southern Nigeria in 2027 in the interest of “equity, fairness, and justice.”
Omeh said the position attributed to the state chairman did not reflect the views of many young party members in Enugu State.
“We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that the chairman’s statement does not represent the position, mood, or wishes of the majority of ADC members and youths in Enugu state,” he said.
The group argued that allowing power to remain in the South beyond the current administration would help maintain national balance and unity.
Nigeria’s presidency has often rotated informally between the North and South, a practice political stakeholders say helps manage the country’s regional and ethnic diversity.
The youth leaders said they were backing Amaechi because he is the only southern aspirant who has officially declared interest in contesting the ADC presidential ticket. They described him as a candidate who represents “courage, competence, fairness, and national balance.” The group also warned against what it described as attempts to manipulate the outcome of internal party processes ahead of the presidential primary scheduled for May 25th.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that ADC youths in Enugu state will not support or vote for Atiku Abubakar,” Omeh said.
