Power must shift to the south in 2023, says Arewa youth assembly

A group known as Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) says the south-south should be allowed to produce the president in 2023.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, Mohammed Danlami, leader of the little-known group, said this would enable the region to “complete its eight-year slot”.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is from the south-south, lost his reelection bid in 2015.

But Danlami, who said there are moves for the north to retain power in 2023, added that it would be unfair for anyone to advocate that power should remain in the north in 2023.

“Arewa Youth Assembly have noticed a series of misleading comments being orchestrated by some political buccaneers over leadership factor that North should retain the national leadership come 2023,” he said.

“It is grossly unfair, malicious and wicked for all those fuelling or promoting this project. We say NO! We say NO!! We say NO!!!

“Our great nation has not fulfilled its potential and our realities are far from our ideals, it is time for a new generation to build a modern Nigeria.”

He asked Nigerian youth to take a cue from emerging global change in political leadership and “take charge to build the Nigeria of our dream.”

Danlami said the north had ruled the country more than any section since independence, adding that “it is time for the south-south youths to produce the next president in 2023 to complete their 8 year of leadership.”

He said nobody has an idea where the nation would be heading to if the north retains power in 2023, saying “the greatest challenge facing Nigeria today is that of leadership.”

He said Nigeria needs an inspiring leadership that can move the country forward by uniting the people.

“We are calling for power shift to the clam surface of the burning hydrocarbon the land of the South-South. We need leaders with vision and passion because sound and visionary political leadership is vital for Nigerian peaceful co-existence” Danlami said.

“With this timely intervention ahead of 2023 we are championing the course of youths within the age bracket of 40 to 50 years to lead Nigeria to the promise land.

“A vibrant youth who is detribalized, a youth who have vision enough to foresee the needs of the people and must be compassionate enough to match these needs with actions.

“For Nigeria to progress no time for experimentation, sentiments, tribalism or mediocrity, so, such a man must be strong enough, articulate and incorruptible, he must have a good sense of judgment, unquestionable integrity, be full of honour and moral courage…

“The expectation of 2023 leadership is high, but we are constrained to speak up on the unnecessary distraction and our solidarity toward our fellow brother from South-South towards enthroning a new leadership in 2023.

“Our country belongs to all of us, as youths we have a duty to make it better and we have a duty to retire and stop recycling old politicians permanently.

“The choice before us is to change the narratives towards political leadership, come 2023 it is between progress and retrogression, between our youth leadership freedom and our continuing false imprisonment.

“It is high time for a brilliant and industrious youth who is prepared to rebuild of our nation from it foundation be it a Christian or a Muslim.

“We are with our brothers from South-South to produce a youthful leader with depth and substance, a leader with focus attention on knowledge economy by prioritising education and health investing hugely in the sector for transformational growth.”