Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a group under the aegis of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has urged youths in the north to eschew religious, ethnic and regional sentiment, and vote for a competent presidential candidate who has the full knowledge of the economic and security challenges confronting the country.
The group also said what Nigeria needs most is someone who has his tentacles across the nation and has the capacity and enablement to unify the country to become an indivisible entity.
The National Coordinator of CNG, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi gave the advice on Wednesday during the 2023 sensitization conference in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
He said the North voted blindly in 2015 and would not repeat that in 2023.
“In the 2023 general election, I call on the youths, the women and all well-meaning Nigerians to avoid politics of bitterness, religious sentiments, sectionalism and nepotism.
“We must ensure that the criteria for voting any person are based on character, capacity, competence, skills, knowledge of the economy and commitment to a united and prosperous Nigeria.
“We must vigilantly subject every candidate, not critical scrutiny by demanding from him a comprehensive plan of action and extracting solid commitment to reverse the situation for the better.”
Also speaking, the National Coordinator, North Central, Mohammed Eneji said the group has held sensitization conferences in over 10 states in Northern Nigeria to educate the youths ahead of the upcoming polls.
“This group has been on the ground for more than 10 years, we have championed a lot of agitation for the North and in the interest of this country. We are heading towards an election and over the years, our election has always had religious and ethnic colouration in our politics and that is what Nigeria is where it is today.
“Northern Nigeria has the highest population when it comes to election and where ever the region tilted to during election, the candidate usually emerges. We felt in 2015, Northern Nigeria went into voting for a Presidential candidate blindly and we don’t want that to repeat itself that is why we are carrying the sensitization conference.”
Plateau State Coordinator, Benson Sunday Yohanna urged Plateau youths to go for competent candidates who will turn the fortunes of the country to the advantage of the youths.
“The Youths have suffered over the years and the mistake of yesterday should not represent itself. We are being told that we are leaders of tomorrow and tomorrow has come, yet the old people don’t want to give us a chance, but we will continue to educate yourselves and ensure that we take the leadership of this country.” He stated.