The Asiwaju Youths Mandate, a non-governmental organisation, has charged the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to be distracted by perceived oppositions within and outside the party structure ahead of 2023 presidential elections
The group at a media retreat on Monday, December 28, 2020 , said the country need a detribalised Pan-African leader who will consolidate on the foundation of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and has the qualities to bridge the divide between the North and South.
Speaking on behalf of large cross section of the Nigerian youths, the coordinator, Mallam Tunde Azeez stated that, although Asiwaju has not declared his intentions, but the youths from the south are standing by for his declaration and onward campaign to support him
He said: “At this period in the history of this great nation, we need a Pan-African leader, not just a Yoruba or an Igbo man, not a Hausa, or anybody who thinks he comes from any of the ethnic groups in the country.
“We looked around to see who among our political leaders has the qualities to bridge the gap from North to South. A leader who has proven to be a true Nigerian, accommodating and has the characters to unite Nigerians.
“We are all living witnesses of what Tinubu did in Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. He laid a solid foundation that has paved the way for sustainable development and the blueprint for successive governments during and after he left office.”
According to him, in Lagos non-Yoruba persons were appointed to key political posts and elected into the House of Assembly and House of Representatives.
“It is only in Lagos that non-Yoruba are given free hands to aspire and fulfill destinies in whatever capacity they can serve the society.
Asiwaju has toured the entire southern region to meet with all the royal fathers to discuss way forward for the country; a virtue that can only be seen in what we term as “Omoluwabi” (a man of respectful virtue) in Yoruba culture
“We need a leader who will build tomorrow for us because Nigeria has all resources to be great. We see these qualities in him. We have leaders like him before in the country, but some enemies of Nigeria blocked them from getting to power to rule,” he said.
Azeez said the group is ready to mobilise and bring out true Nigerians to work to achieve their goal.
