The Yes We Can Advocacy Initiative (YWCAI), a new national movement, says the initiative aims to mobilise youths and women for political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, the National Coordinator of the Initiative, Dr Bala Joshua, said that it also aimed to inspire hope, unity and active civic engagement among Nigerians.
Joshua said Nigeria stood “at a crossroads,” stressing that the country’s political and social challenges required urgent collective action from citizens.
“For too long, our voices have been silenced, our votes stolen and our future hijacked by a few.
“Our youths have been turned into political thugs rather than office holders, while women continue to be marginalised. Today, we diplomatically say no more,” he said.
He said the movement sought to build a Nigeria where every citizen, irrespective of gender, disability, education, ethnicity or religion could participate in governance and leadership.
Joshua said the group’s mission was to mobilise, empower and inspire Nigerians to become active stakeholders in nation-building through political awareness, civic advocacy, inclusive leadership and social accountability.
“We have built an all-inclusive, well-structured leadership chain covering the national, zonal, state, senatorial, local government, ward and community levels,” he said.
He added that the organisation aimed to mobilise more than 10 million voters before the 2027 general elections, and intends to double that number by 2031.
Describing the initiative as “a strategic and peaceful revolution,” Joshua said the movement would challenge entrenched systems of corruption, inequality and social injustice.
He announced that the initiative would hold its inaugural leadership retreat in Abuja in February 2026, during which it would inaugurate its National Executive Board, Advisory Council, Patrons and Executive Council members.
He said state, zonal and community coordinators were expected to begin constituting their executive teams ahead of the event.
Joshua urged Nigerians across all backgrounds to join the movement, saying national transformation required collective action. (NAN)