2023: Young presidential aspirant tasks emir to support youth leaders

Tech professional and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Ayoola Falola, has tasked the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, to support youths who wish to vie for political offices in next year elections.

The Oyo State politician, in his mid 30’s, made this call on Thursday when he visited the emir in his palace over his ambition to contest for the 2023 presidential election. 

Falola told the emir that his vision of Nigeria is that of justice and equity ― one that would ensure development, prosperity, peace and security for the citizenry. 

He stated that a leader must have three things: one, genuine love for the people; two, skills to liberate the people; and three, an unmistakable identity with the people. 

“We need to move this country forward and we need the youths who represent most of the population to take that lead at this time,” he said. “Nigeria does not need another frustrated complainer. That is why I am running for the office of the president.”

Speaking about the older politicians who are aspiring to contest for the presidency too, Falola said older leaders need to seat back and guard the youths and not tell them to wait for tomorrow or to sideline them.

“Most of the leaders that have done great things in this country did that in their young age,” he said. “Why don’t they seat back and let us take up the baton?”

He urged the emir to use his office to speak on the need for the current leaders to remove the restrictions that they have carefully set up to deny ordinary Nigerians the opportunity to lead. 

“We bank on your support to ensure that this form of justice does not continue,” he said. 

In his response, the emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, stated that he was pleased with Falola’s visit and wished him well on his political journey. 

The emir also advised Falola and his team, and the youths generally, that as they are seeking to take up leadership positions they should not neglect elderly counsel. 

Ado Bayero added that many elders of today played active roles in some of the good things in Nigeria today, and that the youths should learn to consult them and not to label all of them bad. He however lamented that some of the elders had let the people down. 

Falola gifted the emir a ‘gangan’ drum ― the Yoruba cultural talking drum. The Emir reciprocated by presenting him with an official palace souvenir.