2023 presidency: Obasanjo’s son drums up support for Yahaya Bello

Olujuwon Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has asked Nigerians to support Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, for the presidency in 2023.

Bello, who is currently serving his second tenure in office, became one of Nigeria’s youngest governors at the age of 40 in 2015.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Bello in Abuja on Friday, Olujuwon said the country needs a youthful president.

In a statement after the meeting, Onogwu Mohamed, chief press secretary to the governor, said Olajuwon described the clamour for Bello to run for president in 2023 as timely.

He said youths had been neglected for a long time in Nigeria, noting that almost all the elder statesmen in the country, including his father, had ruled the country in their youthful years.

“Nigerian youths have been neglected for too long, despite their numerical strength and huge contributions in the electioneering processes,” Obasanjo was quoted as saying.

“They have been denied space to manifest their aspirations in political decision making for too long. The energy and patriotism of the youths can never be in doubt.

“At 35 to 45 years of age, current elder statesmen like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and of course my father, Olusegun Obasanjo were at their best in leadership.

“Total inclusion of youths in governance is a catalyst for fruitful, timely and productive governance template for the people.

“With a Bello presidency, there is no doubt that youths of competence and patriotic valour under the age of 27-30 can be ministers.”

Olujuwon charged Bello to remain resolute and unshaken in his push to occupy the seat of power in 2023.

In November 2020, Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi information commissioner, had said the governor has been under pressure to run for president in 2023.

One month later, the Kogi house of assembly endorsed him for the country’s highest office.