Bashir Usman Declares Bid for ADC National Youth Leader, Unveils Agenda for Youth Inclusion Ahead of Convention

Ahead of the forthcoming national convention of the African Democratic Party (ADC), youth rights advocate and digital communications strategist, Hon. Bashir Usman, has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of National Youth Leader, describing the convention as a defining moment for young members of the party.

In an open letter addressed to young ADC members across the country, Usman said the upcoming convention is “the most important and consequential in the lifetime of ADC youths,” stressing that it presents a unique opportunity to correct past mistakes and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Usman, 36, described himself as a digital communications strategic entrepreneur, seasoned political organizer, and youth advocate with over a decade of experience in partisan politics. He highlighted his involvement in previous presidential and gubernatorial campaigns, as well as his leadership roles within youth political movements.

He noted that he previously served as National Coordinator of the Amalgamation of Nigeria Youth Forum (NYF), Chairman of the Amalgamation of Kaduna All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, and played key roles in the Hunkuyi Youth Ambassadors Campaign Directorate and Media and Publicity Committee in Kaduna State. He currently chairs the Bashir Usman Waziri Foundation, a non-governmental organization focused on youth development.

According to Usman, his aspiration to become ADC National Youth Leader is driven by the urgent need for young people to be central to coalition-building discussions and strategic decision-making within the party. He disclosed plans to launch the ADC Youth Forum, which he described as a political pressure group aimed at mobilizing youths and lobbying party leaders to ensure a successful coalition and merger process ahead of the 2027 elections.

Calling for renewed commitment among ADC youths, Usman urged young members to aggressively market the party’s brand and mobilize their demographic strength for electoral success. He said ADC youths must invest their time and resources in promoting the party and its candidates, with the goal of making history by defeating an incumbent government in 2027.

Following consultations with ADC youth support groups across the six geopolitical zones, Usman said he discovered that the fears and aspirations of young people cut across ethnic, religious, and gender lines. He argued that his experience in national party politics uniquely positions him to represent the diverse interests of youths within the party.

“I am an imperfect yet passionate fighter for youth rights and inclusion,” he said, adding that his commitment to youth participation would shape his policy direction if elected into the National Working Committee.

Usman pledged to prioritize youth interests, promising to serve as a strong advocate for young party members. He announced that his manifesto, titled “Arise and Shine Nigeria Youth,” will soon be unveiled, outlining a roadmap for expanding opportunities for ADC youths as the party prepares for 2027.

As part of his proposed policy strategies, Usman listed several key deliverables. These include a job opportunities drive that would ensure qualified young ADC members are given priority consideration for employment at federal, state, and local government levels through a comprehensive youth membership register.

He also proposed the creation of an ADC Young Women Wing as a statutory arm of the party’s youth structure to promote the inclusion of young women in party leadership and governance, as well as serve as a resource pool for appointments and gender-related policy initiatives.

Another key proposal is the establishment of a Law Enforcement Abuse Desk at the ADC national secretariat, with similar structures at zonal, state, local government, and ward levels. The desk would handle complaints related to police brutality and law enforcement abuse, working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force Complaint Response Unit (CRU).

In addition, Usman pledged to push for the creation of a Youth Directorate within the party to facilitate the integration of young members into party structures and provide leadership training and capacity-building programs.

“I present myself as your best leg forward, your champion within the leadership of our great party,” Usman said, urging ADC youths nationwide to rally behind his candidacy as the party moves toward a critical electoral cycle.