PDP plans mass recruitment of youth, offers election tickets

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said Saturday that it would review its membership policy to allow more youth join the party.

The move would enhance the participation of youth in political activities, and would see more young Nigerians clinch tickets for senior political positions across the country, the party said.

A committee named by the PDP National Directorate of Youth Affairs is to examine the level of youth involvement in the party’s administration, and recommend ways of supporting more youth to aspire as the party’s candidates in future elections, a spokesperson said.

Members of the Youth Restructuring Committee are Tony Nwolu, Ibrahim Aboki, Adebayo Abayomi, Franklyn Umar, Babangida Maina, Ini Emabong, and Zulaihat Abdullahi, said a statement signed by the party’s national youth leader, Abdullahi Maibasira.

Other members are Malik Henry Obodozie-Awuzie, Ohimai Amaize, Abdulrahaman Muawuyya, Yusuf Kanoma, Inusa Mohammed, Chidiebere Egwu and Oche Otorkpa.

The committee would be inaugurated by the PDP acting national chairman, Uche Secondus, on Tuesday at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja, the statement added.

The former Nigeria’s ruling party was defeated in March by the All Progressives Congress — the first time it lost power in its 17-year history.

The PDP said its new committee would examine “the institutional, operational and administrative framework that governs and guides youth activities in the party, as well as recommending amendments necessary to improve and expand youth inclusion in party processes”.

It would also review the involvement strategy of youth groups, recommend best practice and avenues for youth group engagement, in addition to contemporary methods for youth recruitment, mobilisation and retention in the party.

“The party appreciates the support of the International Republican Institute (IRI) in pledging technical and secretarial assistance for the committee, which has three weeks to submit its report,” the party said.