The Coalition of All ADC Youth and Women Organizations in Adamawa State has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to prioritize the inclusion of young people and women in its leadership and decision-making structures, declaring that such representation should be seen as a right, not a privilege.
The demand was made in a communiqué released on Saturday after a strategic meeting held in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. Presenting the statement, the coalition’s chairman, Mohammed All Scams, stressed the need for fair and inclusive representation across all levels of the party.
“Young people make up about 70% of Nigeria’s population, while women constitute 62%. These groups are the backbone of our democracy and deserve proportional representation in political structures,” the communiqué stated.
The coalition called on the ADC to reserve at least 50% of its elective and leadership positions for youth and women, emphasizing that such a quota is essential for promoting inclusiveness and strengthening the party’s internal democracy.
The group also criticized the increasing trend of appointing older individuals to youth-specific roles in political parties. It cited a case in another party in Adamawa State, where a 50-year-old man was allegedly appointed as youth leader.
“The role of youth leader should be strictly reserved for individuals aged 18 to 39, in line with Nigeria’s demographic realities. Appointments outside this age range undermine genuine youth representation,” the communiqué warned.
On internal party arrangements, the coalition urged ADC stakeholders to respect existing micro-zoning agreements during the selection of party officials. It further recommended Abdurrasheed Adamy Suleiman Khady for consideration as the State Youth Leader if the position is zoned to Adamawa Central.
Reaffirming its loyalty to the party’s leadership at both national and zonal levels, the coalition pledged continued support for the ADC’s vision while working to position it as a credible opposition party in the country.
The meeting concluded with a firm commitment to advancing inclusivity, fairness, and democratic principles within the party’s operations.