APC endorsement: RHYDEI commends Speaker Abbas, mobilises for September 26 Summit

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

The Renewed Hope Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative (RHYDEI) has welcomed what it described as its reported endorsement by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as one of the leading support groups backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC candidates across the country.

The organisation described the reported recognition as a significant milestone for its members in Nigeria and the Diaspora, saying it would also bring greater responsibility to strengthen its grassroots mobilisation, empowerment programmes and engagement with communities.

In a statement issued on Monday, the National Coordinator and President of RHYDEI, Hon. Amb. Prince Abayomi Johnson Odeniran, congratulated members of the organisation on what he described as a collective achievement, while commending them for their commitment and sacrifices towards advancing the objectives of the group.

Odeniran specifically acknowledged the contributions of RHYDEI coordinators across the 774 Local Government Areas, grassroots volunteers and members of the organisation in the Diaspora for sustaining its activities and promoting what it described as the Renewed Hope message beyond Nigeria.

According to him, the reported recognition should not be regarded as an achievement of the leadership alone but as the product of the collective efforts of members and supporters across the country.

“This victory is a direct result of your dedication, sacrifice and belief in the Renewed Hope Agenda. To every coordinator in the 774 LGAs, every volunteer on the ground and every RHYDEI member in the Diaspora keeping the message alive globally—this victory is yours,” Odeniran said.

National Media Coordinator, RHYDEI, Innocent Eneta, the organisation also expressed appreciation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, for what it described as his fatherly support, encouragement and goodwill towards RHYDEI.

RHYDEI said it was particularly grateful to the Speaker for dedicating Hon. Garba Chede to engage with the organisation as part of the panel screening committee ahead of its forthcoming flagship programme.

The group said the gesture demonstrated the importance of youth inclusion, participation and empowerment in Nigeria’s democratic and governance processes.

RHYDEI further commended Hon. Garba Chede for his engagement with the organisation and acknowledged the contributions of other political leaders, government officials, stakeholders, partners, community leaders and well-wishers who, according to the group, have supported its programmes and contributed to its growth.

The organisation said the support from various stakeholders had strengthened its determination to take the message of Renewed Hope to communities and ordinary Nigerians at the grassroots.

As part of its next phase of activities, RHYDEI announced plans to hold its National Empowerment and Mobilisation Summit on September 26, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The summit is expected to bring together political leaders, government representatives, youth leaders, stakeholders, RHYDEI members, beneficiaries and other distinguished guests.

According to the organisation, the summit will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to deliberate on issues surrounding youth empowerment, political participation, grassroots mobilisation and community development, while also serving as a platform for the formal launch of the next phase of RHYDEI’s activities.

Odeniran urged members of the organisation to remain united, disciplined and focused, stressing that the reported recognition by the APC should translate into greater responsibility and commitment.

He said RHYDEI’s role should extend beyond election-period mobilisation to include sustained engagement with communities and efforts aimed at strengthening the relationship between government and citizens.

“Our responsibility is not simply to mobilise people during elections. We must continue to build a meaningful bridge between government and the people by listening to communities, identifying their needs and supporting initiatives that promote empowerment, inclusion and development,” he said.

The organisation said its activities would continue to be guided by the principle: “From Campaign to Governance: Taking Renewed Hope to the Last Man in the Village.”

RHYDEI said the journey ahead would require collective commitment from its coordinators, volunteers and members, adding that the organisation remained focused on building a stronger grassroots network capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s democratic and development process.

The group also called on its members to remain committed to its objectives and to continue promoting peaceful political participation, youth inclusion and community development.