Buhari to youths: Participate in politics… I’ll offer my full support

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for more youths to take active part in politics, adding that they have his full support.

Buhari stated this on Thursday, during a meeting with the youth wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The president urged young people to take advantage of their youthful energy to bring about development in politics.

“Tell your colleagues to go back to their constituencies and join in party registration, attend party meetings, pay your dues, make contributions and bring your youthful energy and zeal to bear on the development of the party right from the unit and ward level up to the national,” Buhari was quoted to have said, in a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman.

“If you want to see something different, you have to be willing to do something different.

‘‘While I will be looking forward to a more robust engagement with young people across the country, I wish to emphasise to you all that in me, you have a major supporter.

“I will offer you my full support to grow in politics, public service, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and many other sectors, because I know that the future we envisage as a country cannot happen without our youths.”

Buhari disclosed that he will engage Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development, and the national youth leadership of the party to discuss the best way to drive inclusion and participation of young people.

Buhari also noted that the ongoing APC membership registration and validation exercise will strengthen the party’s vision for grassroot participation.

‘‘I was in Daura to revalidate my membership, and I encourage you all to do same. My belief and firm commitment are that politics is a game of numbers, and political power truly belongs to the people. Parties are built from the ground up,” Buhari said.

‘‘So, I envisage a party that we can have transparent electoral contests, drive policies and programmes that are pro-people, and most importantly, have the members determine who represents them, not some leaders somewhere.”