The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has criticized the Arewa Youth Assembly for calling for the impeachment of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, describing the demand as misplaced and politically motivated.
The position of the Council was made known during a press conference addressed by the National Vice President of the NYCN, Comrade Kehinde Olorunjubelo, alongside the Ogun State Coordinator of the Commonwealth Youth Organization, Comrade Emmanuel Ojo.
Speaking on Monday, Olorunjubelo said youth groups should avoid being drawn into internal political disputes within the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), insisting that such matters do not directly concern the welfare of Nigerian youths.
According to him, “Youths should not dabble into Progressive Governors’ Forum politics, and they should not bastardize the youth constituency with this kind of politics influenced by disgruntled elements.”
The Council argued that the PGF remains an internal structure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with established mechanisms for resolving disagreements, adding that attempts to use northern youths to push partisan interests could damage the integrity of youth advocacy across the country.
The NYCN further urged young Nigerians to focus on pressing national challenges such as unemployment, insecurity, education and economic hardship rather than political conflicts within party circles.
“Youth should be involved in serious national issues rather than criticizing something that is not worth it,” the statement added.
The Council maintained that dragging youth organizations into disagreements within the PGF would only distract from critical issues affecting young Nigerians and reduce youth groups to instruments in the hands of political actors.
The group also defended Governor Abiodun’s political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that the Ogun governor has remained committed to the success of the administration.
“Gov Dapo Abiodun has been at the forefront to ensure President Tinubu wins the 2027 general election. The youth are fully ready with the support of the governor to show solidarity for the president,” the Council stated.
The NYCN, however, called on all youth organizations across the country to remain independent and committed to holding public office holders accountable on policies and programmes that directly impact the younger generation, rather than becoming involved in intra-party political battles.