A coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) support groups nationwide has rejected the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the 2023 general election.
Accordingly, the support groups asked the governing party and its presidential candidate to reconsider the choice of running mate of the party, and give support to the preferred candidate of Nigerian youths in the person of Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the APC groups said the choice of Tinubu was a bad decision with grave repercussions if not reversed immediately.
A position paper to this effect was signed by Igwe Ude-umanta, convener, Coalition of APC Groups; co-convener, Solomon Adodo and heads of other groups.
The coalition stated: “We call on the Leadership of All Progressives Congress, Progressive Governors Forum and His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the choice on 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 emphasize the fact that this Coalition of APC Support Groups has found DR IBRAHIM BELLO 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.
“It is worthy of note that Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda’s catholic gestures has endeared him to all Nigerians (Christians and Muslims alike). 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 coalition noted that the call for Dr Dauda is a unanimous one from various endorsements of more than 100 support groups nationwide “who have heavily thrown their weights and consummate support behind this loyal, ever promising young political technocrat.”
The coalition of APC support groups argued that most of the political leaders in the country became ministers and governors at their prime age of late 30s and 40s, and were given that opportunity and support by the elders and leaders.
“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 groups queried.
They further stated: “The ruling APC and its leadership should hearken to the voice of the Nigerian youth now, as this will reaffirm the much touted promise made by the ruling party APC on Youth Inclusion in governance. And to reassure the Youths of the genuineness of the Bill ” NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN ” signed into Law by our youth friendly and indefatigable APC leader, President Muhammad Buhari GCFR, the party must reconsider its position.
“In conclusion, we also advise the Nigerian Political Class, APC Leadership and our Baba, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to underestimate the rekindled will and determination of the Nigerian Youths to change the political narratives of our noble nation, Nigeria.
“In one VOICE, we say that this group and other hundreds of Youth Support groups across Nigeria assure APC and our Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of all our unalloyed support and Votes ONLY and ONLY if APC Leadership and His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Jagaban) grants our request and goes by ‘BOLA AHMED TINUBU & IBRAHIM BELLO DAUDA’ sacred Youths Mandate.
“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.”
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