The National Youth Leader of the African Action Congress (AAC), Comrade Yahaya M. Abdullahi, has called on Nigerian youths to re...
Abdullahi made the call in a statement issued on Monday, in which he expressed concern over what he described as the growing use of religion as a tool for political mobilisation in the country.
The AAC youth leader specifically referenced recent public comments attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, saying repeated references to “Muslim-Muslim” politics and political victory through a religious lens were “deeply concerning.”
According to him, Nigeria is already grappling with insecurity, poverty, unemployment and widespread public frustration, making it inappropriate for influential individuals to promote narratives capable of setting Muslims and Christians against each other.
“Religious leaders have enormous influence over millions of Nigerians. That influence should be used to promote peace, justice, compassion and peaceful coexistence—not to deepen religious suspicion or encourage one group to see another as an enemy,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed that Muslims and Christians had lived together for generations, sharing communities, businesses and family ties, and warned against allowing political interests to undermine those relationships.
The AAC youth leader urged young Nigerians to assess political leaders based on their integrity, competence, commitment to justice and ability to protect the rights of citizens rather than their religious or ethnic identities.
He said the youth should “look beyond the old politics of religion, ethnicity and political patronage” and support Sowore as part of efforts to build what he described as a “New Nigeria.”
Abdullahi described Sowore as representing a political alternative focused on accountability, human rights, freedom, justice and fundamental reforms.
He argued that the challenges confronting Nigerians, particularly insecurity, unemployment and corruption, should take precedence over religious considerations when citizens make political choices.
“We cannot continue voting based on religion while insecurity destroys our communities, unemployment destroys the future of our young people and corruption continues to impoverish the nation,” he said.
Abdullahi also urged Nigerian youths to use their numerical strength, voices and votes to challenge what he called politicians and influencers who benefit from divisive politics.
He maintained that religion should not determine who deserves justice, while ethnicity should not determine access to opportunities.
The AAC youth leader consequently called on Nigerians, particularly young people, to unite across religious and ethnic lines and support what he described as a movement for a democratic and accountable Nigeria.
He concluded his appeal with a series of campaign messages: “Vote for competence. Vote for justice. Vote for freedom. Vote for a New Nigeria. Vote Sowore.”
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