Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo says President Muhammadu Buhari should not seek re-election
The Youth Lead Nigeria, a mass movement, says it will moblise youths across Nigeria to join the Coalition for Nigeria movement proposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, the group’s National Coordinator, who briefed newsmen on Friday in Abuja, said that Obasanjo was credibly qualified to advise President Muhammadu Buhari on national issues.
Obasanjo in an open letter to President Buhari on Tuesday urged Nigerians to seek an alternative away from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“I, therefore, will gladly join such a Movement when one is established as Coalition for Nigeria, CN, taking Nigeria to the height God has created it to be,” Obasanjo said in his letter.
Adding that, “From now on, the Nigeria eagle must continue to soar and fly high. CN, as a Movement, will be new, green, transparent and must remain clean and always active, selflessly so.
“Members must be ready to make sacrifice for the nation and pay the price of being pioneers and good Nigerians for our country to play the God-assigned role for itself, for its neighbours, for its sub-region of West Africa, for its continent and for humanity in general,” he noted.
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Reacting to Obasanjo’s call, Olajengbesi said that the primary objective of the group was change the narrative and enforce necessary change in the leadership constitution of Nigeria, with the youths ably represented in power.
“We make bold to say that we are ready to join the ‘Third Force’ to liberate our country from those holding it to ransom.
“Our organisation shall begin to moblise youths across the country to make this a reality.’’
He said that the arrest of Mr Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was worthy of applause and long overdue as there should be no sacred cows in Nigeria.
On the prevailing security challenges in the country, he said that it was high time the leadership of the nation’s security agencies was overhauled.
The legal practitioner said it was regrettable that bloodthirsty hoodlum, herdsmen, terrorist groups and others continued on bloody rampage across the country unchecked.
Speaking on the `Not too Young to Run Bill’, he expressed displeasure that the bill sponsored to promote youth inclusion in politics continued to suffer neglect.
“This is a terrible development that members of the legislature must make haste to resolve.
“Given the opportunity, the youths in Nigeria will deliver on democratic dividends as they were duly equipped with the vigour, passion and sense of service to take on more political responsibilities,” he said.
Olajengbesi said that youths should be allowed ample input and leadership roles in several capacities in order to achieve balanced governance.
He said that the Federal Government ought to be more proactive and resourceful in conflict resolution and attending to the nation’s economy.
