• Youths beg ex-Head of State to step down

As the 2015 presiden­tial election draws near, a group un­der the umbrella of Northern Youth Voters Fo­rum (NYVF) has appealed to former Head of State and leader of the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Bu­hari (retd) to drop his presi­dential ambition and sup­port former vice president, Abubakar Atiku.

The group said Atiku had the political muscle and ca­pacity to chase the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of government in the next general elections.

The northern youths cited the role Atiku played under former president Olusegun Obasanjo, by reportedly standing his ground and kick­ing against the third term am­bition of Obasanjo, saying only such a personality could wrest power from any presi­dential candidate in 2015.

They also noted that since General Buhari had contested the presidency three consecu­tive times and was not suc­cessful, it was not wise to give him another opportunity for fear that it might not fa­vour him and his numerous supporters.

Addressing newsmen yes­terday, the National Coordi­nator of the group, Idris Ibra­him, repeatedly said  only Atiku had the political ability to defeat PDP’s candidate in the forthcoming presidential contest.

Ibrahim, who was accom­panied by members of he youth group that trooped out in their large numbers, wear­ing shirts and caps with the picture of Alhaji Atiku print­ed on them, unanimously en­dorsed the candidature of the former vice president as their presidential flag bearer on APC platform.

“We are using the opportu­nity to appeal and request the pleasure of our humble leader with honesty and sincerity, General Muhammadu Bu­hari, to kindly join Turakin’s movement in making Nigeria one of the best. We need your support, we need your co­operation and we need your contribution to save the Ni­gerian security and economic challenges.

“We have agreed to en­dorse Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as our presidential aspirant in the forthcoming 2015 gen­eral elections. We are using this opportunity to urge the aspirants to give their total  support and acknowledge the movement of making Atiku, Turakin Adamawa, the presi­dent of Nigeria in 2015.

“Our presidential aspirant knows the PDP’s maneuvers above any other presidential aspirant and knowing your enemy is the key success to knocking him down; Tura­kin will knock down PDP in 2015,” the group stated.

“Based on the above rea­sons, we find it mandatory to support this political gi­ant for credible leadership to establish a better Nigeria, we the Northern Youths Vot­ers Forum do hereby assure the world that on behalf of our families, relatives, youths and elders, hereby declare, endorse and give our votes to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as our presidential candidate in 2015, ” the national coordina­tor said.

-Sun