Nigeria’s Ruling APC Reports Significant Increase in Youth Membership
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has recorded a substantial rise in membership among young people, with nearly half of its members now aged between 18 and 35.
The party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He stated that recent internal data shows a clear demographic shift, contrasting sharply with previous patterns.
“We discovered that we have more young people coming to APC than the elderly,” Prof Yilwatda said. He clarified that the observation pertains to ordinary Nigerians joining the party daily, not the defection of sitting governors.
The chairman explained that the findings emerged from the party’s ongoing electronic registration process and member sampling. According to the analysis, young people constitute approximately 49% of those expressing interest in the APC platform—a figure he described as “roughly about 50%.”
This represents a notable change from past data. Prof Yilwatda noted that previously, the 18-35 age group accounted for only about 21% to 23% of party members. “But before now, we didn’t have youthful political party,” he remarked, adding that the current trend prompts the question: “What’s attracting more young people in the APC?”
The party leadership presents this as evidence of a rebranding effort that is resonating with Nigeria’s majority youthful population. With over 60% of Nigeria’s citizenry under the age of 25, political parties’ ability to engage young voters is often seen as critical for long-term viability.
The APC’s reported youth engagement comes against a backdrop of recurring debates about intergenerational political transition in Africa’s most populous nation. While the party attributes the shift to its policies and outreach, independent analysts often cite broader factors like unemployment and digital mobilization as key drivers of youth political interest.
The party did not specify what strategies it believes are attracting younger members or provide a timeline for when the demographic change was observed. The next national election is scheduled for 2027, making sustained youth engagement a strategic priority for all major parties.
Prof Yilwatda’s statement positions the APC as adapting to demographic realities, though the long-term implications of this membership trend remain to be seen in voter turnout and candidate selection processes.
