Segments of Nigerian youths have rejected the endorsement of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi by Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing former president of not showing appreciation to the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who helped him to secure a second term in office in 2007.
Speaking at National Youth Summit in Abeokuta Ogun State on Monday, National Director General of APC Professionals Council, Amb. Seyi Bamigbade said Nigeria’s democracy has gone beyond a stage where one person single-handedly determines who becomes the leader, saying the former president cannot play god.
While stating that the endorsement of the Labour Party candidate by former President Obasanjo will not affect the margin of the victory APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will secure at the polls month, Amb. Bamigbade said Obasanjo is still frustrated that he could not have his way in being in control of the current government.
According to Amb. Bamigbade, what matters most is acceptability among the Nigerian populace, which he said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu enjoys among the Nigerian young population as clearly indicated in the mammoth crowd that besiege the party’s rallies across the states.
“As young people, you should not be distracted by the antics of a former president who merely exercises his political rights. You know in whose hand your future is better protected and secured, you know the candidate who from his days as governor in Lagos has made the development and welfare of young people a top agenda.
“You should not fall for that distraction, do not be misled by the attitude which falls far below that of a statesman, rather let your eye be on the ball, towards taking a strategic action targeted at securing your future.
“Our great party the APC has an enviable track record of excellent performance which President Muhammadu Buhari had deeply entrenched, a legacy the incoming President, Asiwaju will continue with” he said.
Earlier, the national president of Concerned Youths Electoral Credibility (CYEC) Engr. Paul Chinonso said the action of the former president falls short of a statesman, insisting that they will vote for APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the next month’s presidential election.
He said Obasanjo does not have the right to decide for Nigerians the direction to vote in choosing their leader, accusing the former president of presiding of profligacy and corruption that crippled the country during his days as president.
He said Obasanjo and his then vice, Atiku Abubakar sold all national assets in questionable and corrupt manner in the name of privatization.
“Just to remind you, Obasanjo spent $3.7bn to provide electricity and there was nothing to show for it. Atiku confirmed that that money was nowhere to be found.
“The same Obasanjo and the candidate of the other dying party, Atiku Abubakar brought Global Steel for Ajaokuta steel in 2005. The investors went to court asking for $5bn and Buhari paid $496m to reclaim our inheritance. Today, Ajaokuta steel is back to life, an indelible legacy of APC”, Engr. Chinonso said.
