2011: PDP NORTHERN YOUTHS FLAY CONSENSUS CANDIDATE

A group of northern youths under the auspices of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youths/Students Vanguard have condemned the decision of some northern elders to adopt a consensus presidential aspirant for the 2011 polls, noting that the decision was designed to edge out certain politician in the region from the race.

The group, which made its position known through a release signed by its president, Abdulhamid Muhammed Hamma said Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State remained the only aspirant that can restore the lost glory of the north and pursue sustainable economic development of the country with passion due to his age.

It further disassociated itself from the Alhaji Adamu Ciroma-led group, maintaining that Nigeria needed a young, dedicated and selfless leader like Bukola Saraki. 'Therefore, other aspirants such as Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Gen Gusau and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are not sellable candidates in the north and the country,' it asserted.

It maintained that only the incumbent Kwara State governor was capable of revamping the agriculture sector having set similar record in his state with his empowerment initiative, stressing that 'the north would benefit from such person as agriculture remains the major economic potentials in the north and Nigeria generally.'

Commenting on the October 1 bomb blasts in Abuja, the group claimed it has withdrawn its support for President Goodluck Jonathan for his handling of the matter and other sundry issues. 'For quite some time now, we have been assessing President Jonathan's performance and with the present situation in the country including insecurity (the recent Abuja Bomb blasts), epileptic power generation, poverty, marginalization and the deteriorating educational level among others under this administration, the group after thorough assessment is compelled to forcefully denounce its legitimate mandate and support for the President Jonathan-led administration,' it added.