- he traced the frustration of many youths to 2011
- the 2023 general elections deepened the loss of faith among young people
- those expectations were again dashed when the government failed to deliver meaningful change
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over the growing apathy of young Nigerians toward political participation, attributing it to years of unfulfilled promises and flawed electoral processes.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known during an interview in Abuja, where he traced the frustration of many youths to 2011, when former President Goodluck Jonathan’s “I had no shoes” narrative inspired hope among young voters who later felt betrayed by the administration’s performance.
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Abdullahi explained that a similar wave of optimism resurfaced in 2014 when many young Nigerians rallied behind Muhammadu Buhari, believing his reputation for honesty and discipline would restore integrity in governance.
However, he said those expectations were again dashed when the government failed to deliver meaningful change.
The former minister linked the #EndSARS protests to the pent-up anger from years of poor leadership, describing the movement as a turning point in youth disillusionment with the political class.
He further stated that the 2023 general elections deepened the loss of faith among young people, especially after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was accused of falling short on transparency.
According to Abdullahi, many youths have now shifted their loyalty from national identity to ethnic and religious lines, viewing Nigeria as a “third identity” rather than a home they can believe in.
Despite this, he said the ADC remains committed to rebuilding trust and encouraging youth involvement in governance, stressing that true progress can only happen when leaders genuinely listen and include young voices in decision-making.
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