The Youth Party has successfully conducted its national convention in Abuja, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria's burgeoning political movement. The event took place on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, at the Wetland Hotel, drawing delegates from across the nation in an atmosphere charged with anticipation. The convention's primary objectives were to elect new national leadership, ratify grassroots congresses, and outline the party's strategic direction for the future.
Ratification of Grassroots Congresses
One of the key achievements of the convention was the formal ratification of ward, local government, and state congresses conducted across 26 states. This development underscores the party's expanding influence and deepening roots at the grassroots level. Additionally, all decisions made by the National Executive Committee (NEC) since the last convention were approved, and new executive committee members were sworn into office.
Election of New National Executive Committee
The highlight of the day was the election and swearing-in of a new National Executive Committee. Mr. Abdulrahman Abubakar from Niger State emerged as the National Chair, with Mr. Sadiq Abu of 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 newly elected National Chair expressed humility and gratitude. He reminded delegates of the party's core values: 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 equal access to education, healthcare, and housing for all Nigerians. “It’s a marathon and not a sprint,” he stated, emphasizing the long-term vision.
Abubakar identified key challenges facing the party, including visibility, finance, communication, mobilization, and discipline. He outlined five immediate priorities: conducting free and fair primaries; amending the party's constitution and manifesto; reviewing Board of Trustees-set Key Performance Indicators; enforcing party discipline; and winning at least 10 legislative seats in the 2027 general elections.
Delegates' Enthusiasm
Delegates and observers expressed unanimous enthusiasm for the proceedings. 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.”
The convention concluded in the early evening, leaving the party re-energized, restructured, and recommitted to its founding mission.
