A factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has announced that aspirants above the age of 55 will not be eligible to contest for political positions under his leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gombe made the disclosure during an interview with BBC Hausa, stating that the decision is part of a broader strategy to promote generational change and increase youth participation in Nigerian politics.
According to him, the move is aimed at repositioning the party by creating opportunities for younger Nigerians to emerge as candidates, leaders, and decision-makers. He stressed that the ADC remains open to all Nigerians but must evolve to reflect the aspirations of the younger generation.
“We have decided that we will give the youths a real chance. The time has come for young people to take the lead in politics,” he said.
The factional chairman maintained that individuals above 55 years would not be considered for elective positions within the party structure under his leadership. He argued that Nigeria’s future depends largely on the energy, creativity, and innovation of its youth population.
Gombe added that the policy is designed to inject fresh ideas into governance and move away from what he described as outdated approaches that have not yielded the desired progress for the country.
“The old ways have not worked well for the country. We need to open the door wide for youths to participate fully,” he said.
He emphasized that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to reposition the ADC as a forward-looking political platform capable of addressing contemporary challenges through inclusive and youth-driven leadership.
The development comes amid increasing calls across the country for greater inclusion of young people in governance and political processes as preparations gradually build toward the 2027 general elections.
