A coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC), youth support groups, has rejected the choice of Kashim Shettima as running mate to Bola Tinubu, the party’s flagbearer.
The group is calling on APC leadership, President Muhammadu Buhari’ and Tinubu, to reconsider the nomination of Shettima.
The group further reiterated its call for a youth, such as Dr Ibrahim Dauda, to be Vice Presidential Candidate.
The coalition made its position known in a communiqué issued on Thursday, at the end of its meeting on Wednesday.
On behalf of other bodies, Igwe Ude-umanta Convener Coalition of APC Youth Groups, said that only a vibrant and qualified young person such as Dauda, to run with Tinubu, would ensure victory for the APC at the polls.
”We, substantive members of Coalition of All Progressives Congress Support Groups here, speaking with one voice, unanimously reject in totality the recent announcement of former Governor of Borno State, Sen. Kashim Shettima, as the running mate to the Presidential Candidate of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
”We call on the Leadership of All Progressives Congress, Progressive Governors Forum and His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to reconsider the choice of running mate of the party, and give support to the Nigerian Youths’ nomination of a young Vice Presidential Candidate.
”By picking Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda, to whom we all rally round and give all our fullest support nationwide ahead of the 2023 Presidential Election. He is the Nigerian Youths Symbol.
”This group is standing firm on Nigerian Youths Inclusion, and hence urging the APC leadership to give a space to the youths to exercise their civil rights to actively participate and make a choice of leadership.
”We emphasise that this Coalition of APC Support Groups, has found Dr Dauda (El-Dabi), a true detribalised Nigerian youth leader, worthy to be the running mate and vice president to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next political dispensation,” stated.
According to the coalition, Dauda’s philanthropic gestures have endeared him to all Nigerians irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations.
”He has touched lives beyond religious barriers through all his philanthropic and humanitarian platforms, throughout the length and breadth of our noble nation, Nigeria.
”The various endorsements of more than hundred support groups nationwide such as: Coalition of Northern Youth Groups, Yoruba General Assembly, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ijaw Youths Council, APC Youths Vanguard, APC Youth Leaders (South West, South East, North Central), Niger Delta Youth Council, Guardians of Democracy and Development,
APC Youth Solidarity Network, Arewa Youth Parliament, Middle Belt Youth Vanguard, Northern Youth Congress of Nigeria, Progressive Northern Youth Forum, and lots of others too many to list, is a clear testament of his pedigree.
”We reiterate that it is on record that there is no vice presidential nominee that has enjoyed this uncommon and unprecedented level of support from youth groups, eminent Nigerians and market women leaders like Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda.
”The Coalition of APC Support Groups is therefore, making a clarion call on the APC Leaders and APC Progressive Governors Forum, their excellencies: the Kebbi Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, Kaduna State Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno, Yobe State Gov. Mai Mala Buni Jigawa governor, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, Niger’s Gov. Mohammed Bello and Sen. Kashim Shettima, to Support a youth vice presidential candidate for APC,” it stated.
It further said it was imperative that the APC leaders supported a young candidate because they too had the opportunity of being in positions of leadership in their prime.
”The question now begging for answers is: Why now are they frustrating youths who are eminently qualified to be selected as Vice Presidential Candidate?
The ruling APC and its leadership should hearken to the voice of the Nigerian youths now, as this will reaffirm the much touted promise made by the ruling party on Youth Inclusion in governance.
”And to reassure the youths of the genuineness of the ” Not Too Young To Run bill, signed into Law by our youth friendly and indefatigable APC leader, President Muhammad Buhari, the party must reconsider this position,” it added.
The coalition advised the Nigerian political class, APC leadership and Tinubu, not to ”underestimate the rekindled will and determination of the Nigerian youths to change the political narrative of our noble nation, Nigeria.”
While assuring the party of youths’ support in the forthcoming elections, the coalition, however, insisted that only after the nomination of Dauda as vice presidential candidate, would APC be sure of such unalloyed support.
”The youths will not longer play the role of only supporting the old politicians. We are willing to participate in politics and function appropriately in governance. We remain resolute on this,” the coalition said in the communiqué.’
The Communiqué was jointly signed by: Solomon Adodo President
National Youth Council of Nigeria, Malam Suleiman Musa, Convener Coalition of Northern Youth Leaders, High Chief Jator Abido President, Niger Delta Youth Council, and a host of others.