The youth wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked President Bola Tinubu to allow his son, Seyi, to “midwife” the appointment of the Minister of Youth. 

In an open letter addressed to Mr Tinubu on Wednesday, the APC youth leaders forum said the president’s son had consistently strengthened the party’s youth wing, especially when youthful vigour was needed to drive the party’s campaign.

They said the president’s son understood the importance of a viable youth development ministry and underscored the significance of building a foundation for the younger generation and keeping commitments to them.

Last week, the president released the list of ministers and their positions, and Abubakar Momoh was assigned to the Ministry of Youth.

The appointment of Mr Momoh,64, as youth minister generated heavy criticism, with many Nigerians slamming Mr Tinubu, who soon assigned him to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

According to the APC youth, the president has demonstrated his unmatched love for the youth demography by reserving the ministry for youth. 

“Based on the above premise, we are pleading with the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Amed Tinubu, to allow one of our own, His Excellency, the youthful and forward-looking Seyi Tinubu, to midwife the selection of a youthful Minister of Youth who understands the importance of a viable ministry of youth development, one which plays an integral role in the development and management of the youth demography,” the letter signed by the 36 youth leaders of the APC read in part.

While appealing to Mr Tinubu to allow the APC youth leaders to contribute towards the choice of youth for the position, the forum asked the president to prioritise their inclusion in his administration.

The youths, however, commended Mr Tinubu for his youth-friendly policies.

Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju had urged Mr Tinubu to appoint a youth below 35 as the youth minister. 

Mr Adeyanju, who commended Mr Tinubu for redeploying 64-year-old Mr Momoh, said the president should henceforth appoint a younger person as minister in charge of the ministry.