The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigerian youths to take an active role in safeguarding and strengthening the country’s democracy.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda described young Nigerians as a critical force for sustaining national stability, particularly at a time he said the country is undergoing significant reforms.

He urged citizens within the 25 to 55 age bracket to take ownership of the democratic process and resist attempts by what he described as “self-serving political actors” to undermine ongoing progress.

“Nigeria’s democracy is at a defining moment. The responsibility to defend and consolidate it rests heavily on our youths, who possess the energy, innovation, and patriotic zeal required to move the nation forward,” he said.

Yilwatda warned against individuals pursuing personal political ambitions without offering credible alternatives, cautioning that such actions could derail gains made under the current administration.

The APC chairman highlighted the party’s demographic structure, noting that more than half of its members are young people. He described the party as youth-driven and committed to inclusion, leadership renewal, and empowerment.

He also pointed to his emergence as national chairman as a reflection of the party’s confidence in younger leadership and its commitment to aligning with Nigeria’s demographic realities.

Yilwatda acknowledged that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have come with challenges but maintained that they are necessary for long-term growth and stability.

According to him, early indicators suggest the reforms are beginning to reposition Nigeria for sustainable development, fiscal stability, and improved global competitiveness.

He added that international institutions, including the World Bank, have expressed support for the reforms, contributing to renewed investor confidence in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing.

“Investor confidence is gradually being restored. The signs are clear that Nigeria is on a path to recovery and growth,” he said.

The APC chairman concluded by emphasizing the importance of an engaged and politically conscious youth population, describing it as the strongest safeguard against democratic decline.