A Forum of National Youth Presidents of different ethnic Nationalities in Nasarawa State, has kicked against Governor Abdullahi Sule’s endorsement of Senator Ahmed Wadada as his preferred Successor.
At a press conference held in Lafia on Thursday, the group demanded an indigenous Governor, saying anything short of that they would go back to their communities to mobilise the people against the injustice.
The Coordinating Chairman of the group, Comrade Silas Dauda Yileni, faulted the governor for not consulting with Youths of different ethnic nationalities in the state before the endorsement of Sen. Wadada as his preferred successor.
He said that it was disturbing to hear that the governor did not consult some other stakeholders including leaders of the various nationalities across the state before choosing his preferred successor.
“It is disturbing that the Governor made this significant declaration without broad consultation, he did not carry the ethnic Nationalities along, while we appreciate the governor’s interest in the Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone, we must clarify that Zoning has never been a legitimate practice in Nasarawa State” he said.
According to the group, the practice was that aspirants usually contest against formidable opponents from different ones, saying what the governor had done (Zoning) was unconstitutional and simply a matter of informal agreement, allowing the people of the area to select their preferred Candidate without external imposition.
While demanding a fair playing ground for all contestants in the governorship race under the Platform of the All Progressives Congress, the group vowed not to support the imposition of a non-Indigenous candidate on the natives for the purpose of fairness, equity and Justice.
“While we appreciate the Governor’s interest in the Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone, we must clarify that zoning has never been a legitimate practice in Nasarawa State.
“Aspirants frequently contest against formidable opponents from different zones, Zoning is unconstitutional and simply a matter of informal agreement; therefore, the people of the zone must be empowered to select their preferred candidate without external imposition.
“We demand an indigenous Governorship candidate from the APC and others! political parties irrespective of religion.
“Anything short of an indigenous candidate we will go back to our community and mobilise our people against such injustice.
” We will not support the imposition of non -Indigenous Candidate on the natives for fairness, equity, and Justice, let it be noted that our loyalty lies first with our people, not with a Political party”.
The group called on citizens of the State to refrain from making provocative and disparaging remarks to avoid heating of the polity.
