Ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, the Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations has adopted People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as it’s presidential candidate.
The youth said their decision was based on the fact that Atiku as “the leading candidate” has high amount of experience, understanding of the people, vast interconnection and political bridges across the country and ability to lead the country without depending on anyone.
They noted that their decision was based on recent Abuja declaration by Arewa groups during the 10th year anniversary of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF).
Convener of JACON, Malam Murtala Abubakar, who was flanked by the Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Rapheal Makama told a press conference in Kaduna on Wednesday that Saturday’s election will be a watershed in the annals of election in Nigeria, particularly for the youth, adding that “the decision we are going to make, would make or mar Nigeria.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been on the ballot as presidential candidate twice, the next election would be the third. In 2007, Atiku came third after Late Umaru Musa Yar’dua and Muhammadu Buhari. In 2019, Atiku came second with over 11 million votes after Buhari won about 15 million votes. Now Atiku is the leading candidate. Of all the 18 presidential candidates who would be on the ballot come Saturday 25th February, 2023, as assured by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), none is compared to Atiku by many standards.
“None has been in politics and ran for offices like Atiku. None but Atiku has occupied the position of vice president of Nigeria for eight years. None of them knows Nigeria like Atiku. None can boast of having biological family ties across Nigeria like Atiku. None have built political bridges across Nigeria and beyond like Atiku. Atiku is not going to rely on anyone or groups to teach him how to lead Nigeria. Atiku knows, understands, appreciates Nigeria and Nigerians just as he knows, understands and appreciates his loving family. Nigeria is Atiku’s family.
“As a result of these, we on behalf of our members cutting across all the states and the FCT, endorse/adopt Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate for 2023 polls and by God’s grace, the next president of Nigeria to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. To arrive at this decision, we note the footprints of President Buhari and took stock of his gains in the last seven years plus. We also x-rayed those battling to succeed him, especially in his political party the APC. But we came to the conclusion that they are not only worthy of the position, but are out struggling to get power for their selfish interests.
“Twice Atiku picked his running mates from the South East. To be consistent, Atiku has picked another Igbo man Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state as his vice presidential candidate. With this endorsement, we are assuring all Nigerians, especially southerners that when Atiku is elected and sworn to office, peacefully, we would ensure he remains the leader for all we have known him to be. We assure all that Atiku will not let them down. We promise as we want you to hold us responsible for this promise.”
