The much talked about youth group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the PDP Youth Circuit (PDPYC) has finally been given affiliate recognition by the PDP leadership. The approval was given on Wednesday the 10th of October, 2012 after several months of waiting.
The PDP Youth Circuit Chairman, Mr. Lai Labode expressed delight and excitement over the approval. ‘We are quite elated over this affiliation to the mother party which has taken us several months to get. We have invested so many resources into this…time, intellect, funds and a lot of goodwill to make this happen. We are glad and what this means is that we can start helping to reform our party in line with the agenda of our National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. More importantly, we will carry out programmes and activities that will support the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’.
The political youth group which has been an item of discourse in the social media in the past few months is intended to ensure that the PDP has a strong and vibrant youth wing. The age limit for membership has been set at below 45 years and members who attain the age of 45 automically have their membership withdrawn. Labode explained that several programmes have been developed and would be implemented in the near future by the group. ‘We are not an ordinary political group, we are here to make changes and those changes will manifest. Nigerians will see them and bear us witness. We will be very practical and articulate in our approach’, Labode said.
Excerpts from the approval letter read ‘I am directed by the National Youth Leader of our great party PDP to convey to you the approval of your application for Registration/Affiliation based on the satisfactory report of the inspection done to your office’. The letter further stated ‘you are directed to collaborate with the PDP led government and the National Working Committee of our great party to promote good governance’.
The PDP Youth Circuit which intends to grow its membership base to about 10 million in the next two years already has members across various geo-political zones of the country and is currently mobilizing its members across the 36 states and the FCT to start building state structures. According to the Youth Circuit’s Vice Chairman, Chief Raymond Dopkesi (Jnr) ‘becoming one of us is simple, first you must be a registered member of the PDP. The next thing is your age which must not be more than 45, it’s that simple. Our membership cuts across as we have members who are professionals: doctors, lawyers, bankers, engineers, businessmen and women. We also have artisans such as welders, carpenters, barbers, mechanics, farmers and so on.’ Dopkesi further explained that the Youth Circuit should not be perceived as an elitist body rather it should be seen as a mass movement of members of the PDP who believe in the unity of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.
The National Coordinator of the PDPYC, Umar Magaji reiterated the mood of the members as regards the successful registration of the group as an affiliate of the PDP saying, ‘we are happy and understand the huge responsibility that has been given to us and we intend to make huge impact every step of the way’. Magaji mentioned that the body is currently planning a formal inauguration ceremony which is expected to be attended by the PDP leadership, President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP governors. This event and a world press conference are expected to formally kick-off activities for the PDPYC.
Signed:
Sola Oyekanmi Paschal Metuh
National Publicity Secretary Dep. National Publicity Secretary
