The Nigeria Youth Coalition, NYC, has called on Nigerians to vote for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a progressive Nigeria.
The NYC composed of youths from the North and South made its stand known during a parley in Abuja on Monday, themed Rotational Presidency: A Beacon of Hope and Unity, in collaboration with Omoluabi Coalition for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for President Group.
The Convener and National President of the NYC Aare Barr Oladotun Hassan in his welcome address said the parley was organised to correct the erroneous misconceptions that the North is hellbent on retaining power in 2023.
Dotun, who is also the President of Yoruba Council Worldwide, stressed the need to respect power shift and rotational presidency based on mutual agreement under the present APC, among the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, wherein every region and ethnic identity can produce a qualified and competent person to serve the nation.
“We consider as a matter of necessity, how viable seats of the President and Vice President should be rotated on even sharing formula and order of reciprocity as follows: North-West, South-West, North-East, South-East, North-Central and South-South respectively, alongside other viable positions to include Senate President, Speaker, Chief Judge, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which must henceforth be rotated among the six geopolitical zones, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political pendulum, ” he added.
The idea, he said, will go a long way to neutralize the rumours about the principles of deception among religious faiths as well as improve the state of tolerance among regional leaders to close the rank of minority notions, and also mitigate the regional and ethnic interest agitation and its resultant disaffection, territorial and entity control crises in Nigeria.
He, therefore, assured that the NYC would work closely with the youth wing of the APC Presidential Campaign Council coordinated by the Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahyah Bello, and the Office of the National Youth Leader led by Hon Dayo Israel, to achieve a successful mobilisation of 20 Million Nigerian Youths across all the 774 Local Government Areas, 36 States and the FCT.
“We hereby appeal to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, religious and political affiliations to rally support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the only and best National sole candidate for 2023 Presidential Election.”
Delivering a keynote address, Professor Yemi Oke commended the organisers of the parley for their patriotism, foresight and deep sense of “Nigerianisation”, adding that the event came at the appropriate time when elections were around the corner.
Oke said the various speakers and wide participation from every segment and ethnic stratum of Nigeria, showed that Nigerians see no South, West, East or North, but one Nigeria that works for all.
He said a major take-home lesson from the event was that the North was much more keen on the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu project. He stated that before being made the Vice-Presidential candidate of the APC, Senator Kshim Shetimma and others were frontally determined and committed, as well as most Northern Governors.
“In the post-Primaries, the North has continued to demonstrate total support to ensure Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wins and becomes Nigeria’s President. The political sophistication of the North is exceptional. I see determination, I see oneness of purpose and unallowed commitment. The North is speaking with one voice, and speaking loud and clear for Asiwaju Jagaban, ” he said.
On his part, the National Coordinator, Nigeria 4 BAT, Hon Femi Showunmi stated that though not constitutional, rotational presidency would bring about inclusion and inclusivity of the North and South.
According to him, rotational presidency is capable of permanently putting to rest the constant bickering of marginalisation between the north and the south, adding that It will give minority groups a shot at the presidency as well as expedite development as zones will get to take ownership when it is their turn.
He expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will hand over power in May 2023 as he had said during events at home and in the diaspora
Showunmi, therefore, urged youths to join hands with the Presidential Candidate of the APC in renewing Nigeria’s hope for a united country.
“It will be remiss of me not to seize this opportunity to remind you to get your PVCs and mobilise friends and family to get theirs as we continue to spread the gospel of Renewed Hope 2023 toward a historic victory for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima come February 25, 2023, ” he said.
