Youths from the six states of South-West stormed Lagos State, declaring their support for Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to secure the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emerge the next President of the country.
They said it is high time the older generation quit the stage, insisting the time is ripe for the youth population to take over the mantle of leadership.
Youths from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti spoke at the South-West Conference of GYB2PYB Support Group, a support group advocating for the emergence of Governor Bello as President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.
Chief of Staff to Governor Bello, Abdulkareem Asuku led government officials from Kogi State to the conference where they accepted the decision of the youths to endorse Governor Bello.
Coordinator of the GYB2PYB, Oladele John Nihi, said, “The voice of South-West today is that we want a youth that will lead us and appoint youth into ministerial, ambassadorial and members of boards in the country.”
He said Governor Yahaya Bello has performed creditably well and shown sufficient capacity to lead the country.
The Chief of Staff said it was high time Nigerians stopped electing a ‘retiree’ as President. He said there was no wisdom in electing any candidate who is above 60 as the President when the retirement age in Nigeria is 60.
According to him, Nigerian youths are ready and prepared to show the older generation that they are ready to take over in 2023.
He said, “If you are familiar with the situation in Kogi State, you would see the advantage of having a youth in the helms of affairs. In Kogi State today, the youths are the decision makers. When you elect somebody above the age of 60 to be your leader, they would only appoint their age mate to work with.
“If you give Governor Yahaya Bello the opportunity comes 2023, the scenario we are having in Kogi State is what we will experience in Nigeria.”
Mr. Ayodeji Mobolaji, a market leader in Computer Village, Lagos said, “We need a new dimension for Nigerian politics and that is why you see the youths coming up to stand by one of their own. It is the same old people that have been ruling this country, putting themselves in positions and roles why the vibrant youths are left in the dark.
“Right now when you give youth a chance to lead, you would see the other side of politics. Governor Yahaya Bello has been tested and trusted, he is a truly young man and he has not failed.”
