The Coalition of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Youth and Women Support Group in Adamawa has called on the party’s national and zonal leadership to dissolve the existing state leadership structure and constitute an interim one.

Mohammad Adamu, the coalition’s chairman, made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting on Saturday in Yola.

Mr Adamu said the coalition condemned the current structure, insisting that the participation of youths and women in party leadership should be treated as a right, not a privilege.

“This is not right; equality and justice should be the guiding principles in party politics. Women and youths must be considered in all offices.

“In forming a new leadership, we call on the national and zonal working committees to allocate at least 17 out of the 27 state executive offices to youths,” he said.

He also demanded equal opportunities for women across party structures, noting that women were often restricted to the positions of woman leader and assistant woman leader.

According to him, young people constitute about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population, while women make up 62 per cent, making both groups the backbone of the nation’s democracy.

“ADC should harness the potential of youths and women by reserving at least 50 per cent of elective positions within its structures for them. This is key to fostering inclusion and accountability,” Mr Adamu said.

He criticised the practice of appointing older persons to youth leadership roles, citing the example of a 50-year-old man being made a youth leader in a political party.

“The position of youth leader should be reserved for persons between 18 and 39 years, in line with Nigeria’s demographic realities,” he said.

On micro-zoning, the coalition urged ADC stakeholders to respect existing arrangements when selecting leaders and recommended Mr Abdurrasheed Suleiman for consideration as state youth leader if the position is zoned to Adamawa Central.

Mr Adamu reaffirmed the coalition’s loyalty to the ADC at both national and zonal levels and pledged continued support for efforts to strengthen the party as a leading opposition force in Nigeria.

(NAN)