From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
All Progressives Congress (APC) youths have thrown their weight behind the appointment of the governor of Kogi State State, Yahaya Bello, as the National Youth Coordinator for the APC presidential campaign council.
They claimed that the appointment made by the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, did not come to them as a surprise, as he has demonstrated his ability to identify individuals, regardless of religion, tribe or gender with the wherewithal to deliver on any given task.
The convener, Aliyu Audu, who spoke at a press conference, said; “as a man with the unique eyes and known for putting round pegs in round holes, his legendary astuteness has once again been demonstrated in his choice of Yahaya Bello for the role of mobilizing Youth and the Middle aged being the largest block of the voting population.
“This is the very reason the APC trusted him with the party’s flag, not only to win the election, but also provide the much needed leadership to build on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari led government at the centre.
“It is with a deep sense and heart of appreciation that we thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for giving recognition to whom it is due, in line with his proven commitment to reward hard work, loyalty and the enthronement of meritocracy in public administration in consonance with his track records.
“The APC Young Stakeholders want to put it on record that the choice of Yahaya Bello as the National Youth Coordinator is a good omen to the success of the party in the forthcoming election. The appointment excites us and for no far fetched reasons.
“He is not only the most qualified for that noble assignment, his connection with the youthful population of the nation puts him ahead of any other person ordinarily in consideration,” they insisted.
Speaking further, they said: “Governor Bello as the representative and face of the youths in politics and government has built a strong base of his primary demography by working well with them at every given opportunity. This, he has demonstrated by the roles he played in various capacities involving the youth.
“He brought millions of youth into the APC when he chaired the party’s Women and Youth Mobilisation and Sensitisation Committee in 2020. Bello towered higher by maintaining peace and even playing mediatory role during the famous ENDSARS protest that held across the country.
“His patriotism and commitment to national development was proven again when he intervened in the face off between northern farmers and the southern region that led to the blockage of supply of food produce to the south in 2020.
“It is also on record that Governor Bello, has appointed more youth and women into top offices since his coming into power and has given many more young and Middle aged people opportunity to excel in the government more than any other in the present Democratic dispensation.
“This is not only because he is youthful himself, but because he recognizes the energy and the innovative spirits of the youths and the need for their inclusion in planning and building the Nigeria of our collective dreams by way mentorship and giving opportunities to showcase their leadership skills in a patriotic manner.
“Talk about Street credibility, there is no match to governor Yahaya Bello. Little wonder he connects with young people in different strata of the society. From sportsmen to musicians, actors and many other youthful professionals, Bello has a deep-rooted relationship with this demography that can well be the gold that the APC needs to win the forthcoming presidential election. This gladdens the heart of every well meaning progressive minded young stakeholders of the party.
“It is on this note that we want to call on all Nigerian Youths to see the appointment of Governor Yahaha Bello as an opportunity to gravitate towards the goal of enthroning a leader in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a proven builder of people, wealth and nation that will put the youth at the forefront of driving the governance of the country.
“For a very long time, Nigerian youths have not been given their pride of place in the society especially in governance and public administration, but this is not going to be the case with the Asiwaju government as he recognises the enormous potentials in the Nigerian youth and Middle aged needed to build the Nigeria that works for everyone,” they noted.