Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Arewa Youth Forum has passed vote of no confidence on the present generation of older leaders who have perpetuated themselves in power since the inception of the present political dispensation with out any meaningful achievement.
President General of the forum, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gunjungu, who led a delegation of the national executive, on a courtesy call on Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello over the weekend at the Lugard House Lokoja, urged him to declare for 2023 presidential election , saying the youth of the country are tired of re circling old hands in the governance of the nation.
He explained that most of the present crop of leaders are are either re circled or inherited or products of godfathers , a sad situation that has tethered the growth of the nation, socially ,politically and economically.
The nation has become the exclusive rights of some few people who decide who to be what because of their overbearing influence due to their wealth mostly acquired illegally.
The youth forum also assured the governor that they will use their structures both at home and in diaspora to ensure that he become victorious at the 2023 polls
According to him , the youth who are suppose to be the leaders of tomorrow have been relegated to the background without any sign of robust future, noting that the youth are desirous of changing the political bandwagon of the country where people with no sense of purpose and direction are being re circled in the leadership and governance of the country.
“It is on this note we are calling on Governor Bello to join our train of not too young to rule and declare his presidential ambition come 2023
“We are looking up to the governor as the hope of Nigerian youth and there is no better time for youth of Nigeria to take over the leadership of the country than now, to change the narratives.
“The Arewa Youth Forum is very ready with programmes using our structures and all our affiliate bodies both at home and in diaspora to effect this change that will give us a peaceful generational change” he said.
Reeling the achievements of Governor Bello in the last five years in Kogi State , the AYF President-General said the state has witnessed tremendous achievements in the areas of security, agriculture, good governance, institutional reforms , rural electrification and empowerment of youth and women.
“Your effort in bringing youth and women into governance has no equal in the country and today you are the only governor with a youth chief of staff , a position exclusively reserved for elderly people. We are proud of you for your exemplary leadership” he stated
Responding, the State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello told the youth group that 2023 presidential election was in the hand of God Almighty, urged them to give their total and unalloyed support to President Muhammadu Buhari to actualize his dreams for the country.
The governor pointed out that , “there must be a country first before any body can think of aspiring to become some thing”
He appealed to the delegation of Arewa Youth Forum to encourage the Northern youth and Nigerian youth generally to join APC so that the various challenges of the country can be addressed.
“We are not unaware that we need a young leader who will prioritize the issues of women and youth, but we need a vehicle thorough which such desire can be achieved and the vehicle is APC.
“By the time we are outside and make noise , few club men who feel they owned the entity will always do what they like and at the end force you to join them.
We can change the narratives
If you are desirous of what we are expecting in 2023 then you should join me to stop the plan some few people have for 2023.
“We should participate in the current membership registration and revalidation of APC as our first step to achieve our 2023 desires” he noted
