The Coalition of Northern Youth Leaders (CNYL) have threatened to stimulate a political backlash if the All Progressives Congress (APC) fails to feature its consensus candidate for the position of vice president whom it said must be less than 50 years old.
While addressing a press conference in Abuja, Monday, the coalition president, Mallam Suleiman Musa and secretary, Comr. Yahaya Ibrahim, pointed out that in the face of daunting challenges before the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the organised youth bodies led by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) kept faith with the government and supported its policies to the chagrin of the opposition and traducers of the government.
It also said, in the course of this partnership, it organised youth bodies bonded with the party and expected their reciprocity, especially in line with the continuous promise of President Buhari that the leadership would be favorably disposed to the youth and that youth inclusion in governance would be non-negotiable.
“We know that this promise will not be automatic and the youths have continued to work hard and position themselves in the hope that there will be a negotiated starting point.
And having watched other political parties conduct their affairs without regard to youth input, the organized youth group activated its alignment and political relationship with the APC and consequently demanded for the Presidential ticket.
“But our formidable leader, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, clinched the ticket democratically and transparently. We accept that outcome wholeheartedly and congratulate him once again.
“However, the youth demand that the Vice Presidential ticket should go to a young person, not more than 50 years. And for the avoidance of a choice confusion, we forwarded the name of Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda (El Dabi) for consideration and adoption by the APC. And because Dr. Dauda’s capacity, readiness and credentials are impeccable, there are no issues as to his capabilities and qualification. It is our hope that the APC will yield to the youth demand.
“It however appears that some interests who feel it should have been them are bent on jettisoning the youth partnership with the APC. And we dare warn that it will be politically catastrophic as many youths and youth groups may be forced to throw their support elsewhere.
“As a coalition, we have noted that the National Chairman is elderly. Our candidate is equally an elderly man even as we hold them to high esteem. But we hasten to emphasize that giving a vibrant youth, El Dabi, who recently clocked 50 years to occupy this strategic position will have a great impact on the next administration.”
