Save Nigeria now, group tells IBB, OBJ

The Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), an umbrella of 42 Arewa youth groups, on Saturday called on former President Olusegun Obasanjo to urgently summon a meeting of those it called “Nigerian fathers” with a view to discussing the country’s challenges and proffer solutions.

Those in the category, according to the forum, are: Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Theophilus Danjuma, Abdulsalami Abubakar; Chief Ernest Shonekan, among others.

The National Chairman of NYLF, Elliot Afiyo said while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, shortly after meeting with Obasanjo.

Afiyo identified banditry, kidnapping, corruption, poor economy, agitation for secession as part of the challenges bedevilling the country.

He submitted that it is high time “Nigerian fathers” met and proffered solutions to the challenges before it’s too late.

He described Obasanjo as an “advanced citizen who believes in the cooperate existence of Nigeria.”

Afiyo pointed out that the NYLF was to part of the groups that supported President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, but expressed concern that he (Buhari) has failed to meet up with the expectations of Nigerians.

He accused the APC of lacking the political will to solve the myriads of challenges confronting the country.

“We were part of the groups that brought Buhari in 2015, we thought the Buhari that we know will change thing, but we realised that we have made mistake and we have to correct it, that is why I came personally to see Baba (referring to Obasanjo) and we have discussed, he has to also be involved.”

“We want him to do two things, one, to summon the elders, the Nigerian fathers, they have to meet, discuss and intervene,” the NYLF Chairman said.

He also called on Obasanjo to wade in to the crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Afiyo declared that only PDP can provide an alternative and better governance, which Nigerians are yearning for.

Speaking on the agitation for power shift ahead of 2023, the NYLF declared that the next president could come from any part of the country, provided that such candidate’s competence and capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges, is guaranteed.

Afiyo said, “As it is now, we are not concern about power shift or power rotation, we are looking for somebody that can solve our problems. I want to beg Nigerians, the president can come from anywhere, the person that we are convinced that will solve our problems is who we need now.”