2023: Nigerian youths reject zoning, back Atiku for President at South-South summit

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Nigerian youths drawn from one of the six geo-political zones have urged the electorates to vote personalities on merit instead of zoning, noting that only credible leadership imbued with capacity and experience would rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of dictatorship and clannish regime in 2023.

It was at the Atiku Abubakar Townhall meeting for the South-South region, held at the e-Library hall, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, at the weekend.

Under the aegis of ‘Atiku Kawai’, an initiative founded by AbdulRasheed Shehu, to drum supports for the former Vice President, the conferees spoke in unison  for Atiku’s presidency, noting that “the restoration of the dwindling economy, halting the biting insecurity and unity could be achieved under his leadership of the country.

 They agreed that the Atiku has immense goodwill, deep experience in politics and administration that would be gavanized tol return the country on the path of progress, prosperity and genuine development.

Addressing the forum, keynote speaker, Obong Ide Owodiong Idemeko, one of the governorship aspirants in the state, who spoke on the theme; ‘Making a Case For National Unity and Prosperity”, explained that “our ability or inability to achieve national unity has been the bane and a critical measure of how we have progressed as a nation, regardless of other objective socio-political and economic factors that in themselves drive the rather subjective outcomes that we define as national disunity”

According to him, “Nigeria has been a work in progress since the Northern and Southern protectorates and the colony of Lagos were brought to exist side by side in what is commonly referred to as the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria. 

“That singular action and subsequent actions later by both the British colonialists and its Nigerian indigenous successors laid the groundwork for the crisis of national unity that we continue to face in the country today”, he noted.

 “We can’t make progress if we do not come together to forge a common identity as one Nigeria and One People with one destiny. The Present challenges we face across the nation can all be traced in large measure to the failure of governance in getting all Nigerians to work for the betterment of the nation and ensuring that justice and equity is the bedrock of engagements between the various ethnic-nationalities and social classes,” he stressed.

“It is therefore imperative that we open our eyes and identify leaders who are experienced, competent, bold and can confidently chart the course of a new Nigeria by reaching out to all segments of our country to achieve an inclusive and collaborative approach to the myriad of problems facing us as a country and a people. 

“The former Vice President has promised to lead in the front and to confront boldly some of the ‘no-go’ areas of Nigeria’s political history such as restructuring the federal principles on which our lopsided federal structure is”, he added. 

In the vein, Mr AbdulRasheed Shehu, founder of Atiku Kawai media group, explained that “Nigeria today is in a state of constant decline in unity, economy, education, job opportunities and many more with national cohesion diminishing,” stressing that it was time for the youth to rally around a man with large heart to rescue the country.

“Today, our Nation is in need of a leader, who is a symbol of national unity and a rallying point for all the people of our country.

“A man who is seen by all to be detribalized more than all else. Nigeria needs a leader with proven capacity to fix the current challenges facing the nation such as the economy, employment opportunities for our young people, eradicate poverty, improve the educational sector at all levels and most importantly, unite Nigerians,”he said.

Shehu said, “With the recent declaration of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar to contest the presidential election in the 2023 General Election, it has become incumbent on us to go round the geopolitical zones of this country to spread his message of Unity & Prosperity.

“Atiku Abubakar is one of the best products of our nation. He remains a unifying figure with an excellent record of excellence. In both public service and the private sector one of the largest employers of youths and women in the country. We believe if he has the capacity to do it both in government and the business sector, then he can succeed once again and usher in a new dawn for Nigeria as the President in 2023.”

The panel of discussants at the event which included Mr Shehu showunmi, Prince Olatuni Olusoji, Hon Divine Onyekachi and Vicky Heldan, underscored the importance of unity for national development, stressing that Atiku has the credentials to recreate Nigeria along the path of peace.

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