2027: Niger youth groups dare Bago

• Urge retired civil servants to succeed him

From John Adams Minna

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, youth groups in Niger State have called for an experienced and respected retired civil servant to emerge as the next governor of the state regardless of his political platform.

The youth groups expressed concern over the quality of leadership provided in the state in the last two years and concluded that there is the need for a change, hence the call for a seasoned and retired civil servant that will effectively pilot the affairs of the state as the 2027 governorship election draws nearer.

In a statement signed by Abdullahi Maina and made available to newsmen in Minna, the youth groups under the auspices of “Kolo Magba Association” pointed out that Niger State requires a new direction in leadership.

The statement titled, Youths Against Charlatan Leadership Across The Country, however, identified Dr M. K. Kpautagi, a seasoned retired civil servant as their preferred candidate to occupy the government house come 2027.

The youths also suggested that it should be made as a policy that only successful retired seasoned civil servants are allowed to contest governorship positions due to their experience in public service.

This is even as the groups threw their weight behind what they called “money bag politicians” to be allowed for both the State and National Assembly to have a very robust leadership across the country.

The statement read in part: “We want the government to amend the constitution by allowing only senior retired civil servants to aspire for governorship positions in the country, this no doubt will ensure decency by restoring acceptable democracy instead of making money bags to take over the governance of the country.”

The youths further said: “Dr Mohamed Kpautagi has witnessed challenges in life and has imbibed the character of decency, discipline, tolerance and incorruptibility which no doubt will be exhibited if elected as governor of Niger State come 2027.”

According to the youths, Kpautagi ghas what it takes to govern the state, stressing: “He embarked on a life journey from scratch, he is a man abreast with the pains of the society as a civil servant. Therefore he is credible and reliable to govern the state.”

Also in another statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Liman Suleman, Arewa G19 Forum, said the call had become necessary because the so-called moneybag politicians have never known what citizens are passing through in order to effectively provide the needed dividends of democracy.

According to the youths, Dr Kpautagi is a seasoned administrator at both state and federal level and therefore remains a credible person to reckon with, noting that he served in many capacities during which he was appointed into strategic national committees and professional bodies, a member of Presidential Monitoring Committee on NDDC projects and member, National Institute of Project Managers, among others.

“That is the caliber of people who have the capacity and ability to perform effectively as governors. It would be recalled that here in Niger State, late Governor Abdulkadir Kure and the Chief Servant, former governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu served the state effectively and with high sense of maturity because they were both seasoned retired civil servants,” Suleiman said.