By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
Nigeria News Today – The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has officially zoned the presidency of the council to the northern region, adopting Comrade Abubakar Ahmed Khalifa, the Kebbi State NYCN President, as its consensus candidate for the forthcoming elections.
The announcement was made during a joint stakeholders’ meeting at Blue Hotel, Kaduna, which brought together serving and past state presidents of the council to review its activities ahead of the polls.
Southern Stakeholders Back Northern Zoning
Speaking after the meeting, Comrade Khalifa expressed gratitude to southern stakeholders of the NYCN for conceding the presidency to the north, particularly the northwest, and for adopting him as sole candidate.
“We are profoundly grateful to the southern part of our great council for zoning the post to the northern region and for finding me worthy of the position,” Khalifa stated.
Tinubu, Youth Minister Commended
The stakeholders also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Youth, Comrade Ayodele Olawale, for what they described as youth-friendly policies shaping the future of Nigerian youths.
They stressed that the administration’s reforms had created enabling platforms for young Nigerians to thrive in leadership, entrepreneurship, and governance.
Age Limit and Unity Resolution
The meeting further reaffirmed the NYCN constitutional rule that only youths under 35 years of age are eligible to contest elective positions within the council.
Stakeholders also resolved to hold an extended meeting covering the nineteen northern states to strengthen unity and consolidate support for the forthcoming elections.
Protecting Youth Rights
According to participants, deliberations covered several critical issues affecting Nigerian youths, emphasizing the need for government at all levels to protect youth rights and ensure equal opportunities in policy implementation.
The stakeholders concluded that the NYCN would remain a strong platform for advancing youth participation in governance, development, and nation-building.
