The National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, has unveiled a youth skills-development programme while urging young Nigerians to reject voter apathy and take a more active role in democratic processes.
Bala-Aboki made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at an event organised by his office to mark the 2026 International Youth Day at Wadata Plaza.
The event, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” was attended by PDP leaders, youth representatives, stakeholders and young members of the party.
Bala-Aboki, who is backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said his office had prioritised youth mobilisation, inclusion, empowerment and grassroots participation during its first 100 days.
He said the office mobilised young people and female youths for ward, local government and state congresses ahead of the party’s National Convention held on March 29 and 30, 2026.
According to him, young members were also represented on various convention committees and sub-committees.
Bala-Aboki said the office had encouraged young party members to seek elective and party positions, adding that stakeholder engagements had contributed to the emergence of several youth candidates whose names were certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He also said the office mobilised young people and female youths for PDP and INEC e-registration exercises, which he said helped increase youth participation and membership registration in several states.
The PDP youth leader listed other initiatives, including a reception for the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara, a Special Award of Excellence for party dignitaries and an annual PDP Youth Carnival.
He said the office had also hosted PDP youth leaders from the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the six geopolitical zones to strengthen consultation and coordination.
Bala-Aboki disclosed that the PDP National Youth Leadership Consultative Forum had been inaugurated to bring together youth leaders, female youths and deputy national officers for policy dialogue and coordination.
He further announced the revalidation and fresh registration of PDP youth support groups nationwide, aimed at strengthening grassroots mobilisation.
The youth leader also announced the inauguration of the PDP Female Youth Wing, with a proposed executive structure extending from the national level to the wards.
According to him, the proposed structure could produce 144,315 executive members of the female youth wing nationwide.
Beyond political mobilisation, Bala-Aboki announced a skills-development programme being implemented in partnership with Destiny Hotshot Synergy International.
He said 100 youths would initially participate in a Train-the-Trainers programme, after which the beneficiaries would train 50 youths in each of the 774 local government areas.
The programme could therefore reach 38,700 grassroots beneficiaries under the proposed model.
He said the training would cover vocational and entrepreneurial skills, including photography, shoemaking, duvet making, hair cream production, soap making, shampoo production, air freshener production and aftershave production.
Bala-Aboki said the initiative was designed to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable livelihoods among young Nigerians.
He commended Wike for his support and acknowledged the guidance of the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, as well as the backing of the party’s National Chairman.
The youth leader urged young Nigerians to move beyond calls for political inclusion and become active participants in elections and democratic governance.
“This is the time for action, not docility; time for greater momentum, not murmurs,” he said.
Also speaking, the PDP National Director of Administration, Arthur Bruno Ekwelem, said stronger youth participation could help reduce voter apathy.
In a keynote address titled “How Youth Participation in Election Processes Can Curb Voter Apathy in Nigeria,” Ekwelem identified voter apathy as a major challenge to Nigeria’s democratic development.
He said many young Nigerians register to vote but fail to complete the process by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards or participating on Election Day.
