On the night of July 20, 2016, a group of young Nigerians that are loyal to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, converged under an Umbrella body PDP Online Support Group (PDP-OSG), and created a buzz on social media platform, Twitter, where they launched the #PDPOnlineDirectorate Campaign,  which was led by an official twitter handle @PDPSMWing. The July 20 campaign gathered a lot of steam and trended number one in Lagos and Nigeria trends.

According to the promoters of #PDPOnlineDirectorate movement, every young social media person that is contributing to the political success of the party and her candidates deserves a say in the affairs of the party at all levels of the party instead of the present tradition of neglect by party Chieftains at all levels and officers that assumed power under the party structure. This according to the movement can only be achieved where there is a well structured independent Directorate for  the youths-controlled Online Media, as it is the norm in countries like India, South Africa etc.

They insist that instead of young party faithfuls to continue to spend resources and intellect fighting for the party and candidates on social media, they should be allowed a system that will coordinate their activities and allow for their participation in decision making, a role within the party, and a future in nation building.

To the promoters, the party should establish and empower an independent #PDPOnlineDirectorate at the National, Zonal and States levels, which will be run, and administered by young people.

They also demand for 20% of party offices and appointments, including committee appointments, and condemned the tradition where only the older generation continue to recycle themselves within the party, and expect young people to use their SM platform to defend this recycling.


REACTIONS
As beautiful and encouraging the demand of the #PDPOnlineDirectorate appears, it received mixed reactions from members of online community and young people within the party.

Comrades Babasola Kuti and Segun Sowunmi, two aspirants for National Publicity Secretary of the party welcomed the movement showed support. Radical Youth man, a prominent PDP personality also welcomed the movement and pledged support.


It was also observed that the movement enjoys wide support from PDP groups including @NigeriaWailers, while Akwa Ibom state PDP official handle pledged support for the movement.

Despite the wide popularity enjoyed by the group, a few twitter users that are sympathetic to Prince Deji Adeyanju, who parades himself as Director of PDP New Media(when no such directorate exist) felt threatened by the popularity of the movement, and came after the movement and the promoters of the movement. It should be noted that all overtures made to the Adejanju camp to see reason why the #PDPOnlineDirectorate is needed was rebuffed by the camp.

PROMOTERS OF THE MOVEMENT
Promoters of the movement consists of intelligent minds and brilliant personalities that cuts across ALL social media platforms(Nairaland inclusive) and blogs that are desirous to holistically cause a real change in the unfortunate status quo.

However, the movement is opened to everyone including young people that are prepared to usher in an era where the voice of the young man will not begin and end on social media, but would also be felt in the top hierarchy of the PDP.

THE CHALLENGE OF NIGERIAN YOUTHS
It is said that to change a country, efforts must first be made to change a party. In other words, one can't change the tradition of youth neglect in Nigeria without first starting from political parties that form government, PDP in this case.

Therefore, this set of youths have taken upon themselves to push for a movement that would usher in the era of youth participation on governance through a well structured platform that won't be tied to any godfather.

Though not a smooth task, it is of the opinion of the promoters of the movement that this is a task that must be met and achieved irrespective of the challenge it is facing and those would face.

CONCLUSION
Finally, despite popularity on social network, the movement's push goes beyond social media trends, and at appropriate time an official demand would be made through relevant authorities and pursued till it be achieved.

Young people who are loyal to the party, those who wish to be part of nation building, and those desirous for youthful voice are encouraged to join the voices demanding for #PDPOnlineDirectorate.




May God Bless Us All and Bless Nigeria

Tonye , a frontline promoter of #PDPOnlineDirectorate writes from Abuja.
http://swiftreporters.com/pdponlinedirectorate-movement-and-the-challenge-of-nigeria-youths/

Tonye God bless you, this should have come long ago, I don't know what PDP is waiting for, this was one reason why they lost the last election, as there was no Social Media Directorate. while APC had a cordinated social media arm, PDP only relied on the like of Deji and co.

However, the movement is opened to everyone to come in and usher in an era where the voice of the young man will not begin and end on social media, but would also be felt in the top hierarchy of the PDP.

The need of the hour for any youths who feel that its time to salvage this Country from the firm grip of wasters who see nothing wrong in wasting the productive group in this country away. This is an awake call for the teeming youths to be part of this moving train. I can't believe that under Buhari, a Congo of Garri can turn to essential commodity and the eating formula of most Nigerian families is now 1-0-1 indeed horror movie is gradually loading. Welldone TonyeBarcanista.

This country youth derseve the best and the time is ripe for re-awakening among the Youth.


Arise oh!,

Youth obey the clarion call.

What am i to do so to be the tresurer or the financial sec. Of the group?

Youth of this Country. It's time to wake up!, wake up!!, wake up!!!.

No more dulling, enough of ranting.

Enough is enough.


#PDPOnlineDirectorate

Ratello:
The need of the hour for any youths who feel that its time to salvage this Country from the firm grip of wasters who see nothing wrong in wasting the productive group in this country away. This is an awake call for the teeming youths to be part of this moving train. I can't believe that under Buhari, a Congo of Garri can turn to essential commodity and the eating formula of most Nigerian families is now 1-0-1 indeed horror movie is gradually loading. Welldone TonyeBarcanista.

This is a time where young brains should stand up and take advantage of a movement that is calling for their stake in running affairs of party/country instead of wasting free data and complaining in the bedroom.

If young people can't be part of the solution then who should?

K

A group of hungry,greedy Nigerian youths sponsored by Dokpesi and the mischevious BOT

Every lover of PDP/Democracy needs to embrace this great movement.

Ratello:
The need of the hour for any youths who feel that its time to salvage this Country from the firm grip of wasters who see nothing wrong in wasting the productive group in this country away. This is an awake call for the teeming youths to be part of this moving train. I can't believe that under Buhari, a Congo of Garri can turn to essential commodity and the eating formula of most Nigerian families is now 1-0-1 indeed horror movie is gradually loading. Welldone TonyeBarcanista.

thank you. it is time for PDP youths and youths in general to be part of the system because if the youths are good at SM they should also have say in party decision

Redoil:
What am i to do so to be the treasurer or the financial sec. Of the group?

Lol Na ole you be. But seriously, this is a clarion call to young people

All around the world the youths had to take the destinies of thier countries in their own hand.
We can nolonger allow person of last generation make all the decisions for this generation and the next.

This is a clarion call to all Nigerian youths especially does of the PDP stock. It is time to have our say and way in how things are be administered in the party and country at large.
We will take back our country from the names of those who have perpetually stick to the corridors of power forever.

U guys should jst ignore this pls...

iflywithbuhari:
A group of hungry,greedy Nigerian youths sponsored by Dokpesi and the mischevious BOT

iflywithbuhari:
A group of hungry,greedy Nigerian youths sponsored by Dokpesi and the mischevious BOT

PLS what do you want? Among promoters of the group are thos from both SAS and Markafi faction. It has nothing to do with ANY individual but a peoples movement that demand for #PDPOnlineDirectorate at all level.

It is a masses movement.... You may join us

TonyeBarcanista:

thank you. it is time for PDP youths and youths in general to be part of the system because if the youths are good at SM they should also have say in party decision

Well said bro,

iflywithbuhari:
A group of hungry,greedy Nigerian youths sponsored by Dokpesi and the mischevious BOT

Hmmm, you don't need this.

Pls don't bring in Dokpesi issue here, we are talking about Youth affairs here please.

It's a clarion call to you as well.

This is a welcome development. Nigerian youths have woken up. The era of use and dump is over.

I'll vote any other party but not PDP even if they have Jesus has their National Chairman

A few twitter users that are sympathetic to Prince Deji Adeyanju, who parades himself as Director of PDP New Media(when no such directorate exist) felt threatened by the popularity of the movement, and came after the movement and the promoters of the movement. It should be noted that all overtures made to the Adejanju camp to see reason why the #PDPOnlineDirectorate is needed was rebuffed by the camp
.

It should be noted that Deji Adeyanju will ensure some people draw their very last breath very soon... issokay.....

Touch not a man's pot of soup, go cook ya own!

iflywithbuhari:
A group of hungry,greedy Nigerian youths sponsored by Dokpesi and the mischevious BOT

If you are a youth, then you should cover your face in shame for this statement. If you are among the PDP elders, then you should just go through the article again and praise Barcanista for having the interest of PDP at heart.
The youths will rather fight to rebuild and return PDP to greatness than defect to another party; we no be Nuhu Ribadu.

modath:



It should be noted that Deji Adeyanju will ensure some people breath their last very soon... issokay..

Lol, calling a spade what it is no be crime. BTW aren't you tired of a system that centers on recycling without fresh blood both at party and in government?

QuotaSystem:
So you are basically forcing yourselves on the party leadership to the point of 'demanding' 20% of appointments?

Why not form a youth oriented political party instead of trying to force the party leadership into accepting your non existent directorate?

If there is any altruism in this, then you can continue making your impact online without demanding for benefits to be given to you for performing your patriotic duties, except of course you're admitting that your current wailing is a disastrous failure.

The party belongs to everybody not just the leadership, the leadership administer the party in trust on behalf of the members. They DON'T own the party.

Young people are important stakeholders of the party and it is in their interest to have an arm that will make them contribute to the party and nation building. Nobody is 'forcing' anybody.

This demand is not about us the present crop of youths because we can't be Youths Forever, it is about a system that will allow youths to have stake and say in the party.

Redoil:
What am i to do so to be the tresurer or the financial sec. Of the group?

Forget PDP , it's not Lazarus , it can't rise after 3 days

modath:




It should be noted that Deji Adeyanju will ensure some people draw their very last breath very soon... issokay.....

Touch not a man's pot of soup, go cook ya own!

Interpretation.

TonyeBarcanista:

Lol, calling a spade what it is no be crime. BTW aren't you tired of a system that centers on recycling without fresh blood both at party and in government?

There is no spade here, you are trying to muscle into a territory that someone already has claimed ownership of long time ago & you know it..

Despite making an ass of himself & the job, PDP online is known as Deji's corner.. it won't end well!! Just an advise... dazall...


PS... I'm a realist, Money controls politics, the youths in this clime have nada, political fund raising isn't in our culture, so what is there to be fooling ourselves about?

How old is Hillary and rug head Donald? Aren't there spry chickens in the morikas?

DaBullIT:
Forget PDP , it's not Lazarus , it can't rise after 3 days

A dead party that just won a Senatorial Election yesterday in an APC controlled state

Won an Inconclusive election you mean ?

engineerboat:


A dead party that just won a Senatorial Election yesterday in an APC controlled state