KANO (CONVERSEER) – The interim leadership of the ADC-led coalition reflects a deliberate and balanced fusion of experienced and youthful energy.
The late Dan Masanin Kano, Alhaji Maitama Sule, once and wisely said that, “The combination of the new breed without the old breed will breed greed.” The coalition’s think-tank clearly understands this wisdom, that is why both generations were carefully represented during the unveiling of the new leadership by the outgoing ADC Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu.
Names like Senator David Mark, Prince Bolaji Abdullahi, and Hon. Arigbabuwo were announced, these are individuals with tested political experience.
Alongside them, younger voices like Balarabe Rufa’i, Nkem Ukandu and Hauwa Musa Yusuf, were introduced to represent a new generation of committed Nigerians.
Those who dismissed this team as “recycled politicians,” could be said to have missed the point entirely, as it is not about recycling, but rescuing democracy from a dangerous drift toward a one-party state.
Those who cannot see this are out of touch with the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians under the current administration.
From inception, the ADC has been a youth-driven party. That’s why seeing Balarabe Rufa’i, among the coalition leaders is deeply symbolic and personally moving. He is not new to this foundation as he is our colleague turned brother.
In 2022, he resigned as Assistant Director at the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority, not to chase political appointments, but to contest for Senate under the ADC.
He ran in Kano Central against the combined forces of APC’s structure and NNPP’s crowd.
He didn’t win and didn’t disappear either. That’s the difference between opportunists and those building lasting movements.
Balarabe has been in the trenches for over two decades as he previously led the National Youth Council in Kano.
He was active during the fuel subsidy protests as he chaired the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) in some of Nigeria’s most unsecured years.
He founded the Rebuild Arewa Initiative to champion youth political education and grassroots engagement, a development that is not theory, rather, optimum service, commitment and personal sacrifice.
When Maitama Sule said, “Leadership is not about age, it is about service,” he was speaking of men like Balarabe, who is not just a youth by age, but truly the face of competent, committed and uncompromised generation this country desperately needs.
Over sixty percent of Nigerians are under thirty. We cannot afford leadership that recycles scripts from the past. We need voices with fresh energy and clean records, sincere voices like Balarabe’s.
This coalition has renewed our belief that meaningful change is still possible.
If you’re tired of waiting, tired of lamenting, and tired of watching from the sidelines, then stand with those who have already paid the price to be on the frontlines.
The time is now. And for us, the ‘Foundation for Democracy and Positive Change in Nigeria,’ Balarabe Rufa’i, represents that turning point.
We support Balarabe Rufa’i and his leadership style which has showcased him as a youth advocate, transformative leader and grassroots mobilizer.
