APC group says Yahaya Bello is not accepted as the party youth coordinator

The Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello's selection as the National Youth Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council for the 2023 general election has been rejected by a youth organisation operating under the auspices of the Presidential Support Council.

Bola Tinubu, the APC's presidential candidate, has given his approval for Bello's appointment to guide the party's youngsters during the anticipated September 28, 2022, start of the presidential campaigns.

The national leader of the group, Kassim Muhammad, stated during a news conference in Lafia on Monday that they did not support the nomination because it was to be made to a person no older than 40 years old.

Party youths are encouraged to make their fair share of contributions to the presidential campaign council.

He continued by saying that Governor Bello, who campaigned for president in the party's most recent primary election, should be given a bigger role in the campaign council rather than holding the job of youth coordinator.

Muhammad, a former member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly said, “There are capable youths within the party who have the capacity and capability to handle that position in the Presidential Campaign Council, and that would have given Nigerian youths a better hope in the incoming APC administration under Bola Tinubu.

“We recognise the antecedents of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grow and develop youths. He has done well for several youths across the country who are today great men and women, and doing well in their various endeavours.

“But appointing a serving governor into a position that should be occupied by youth is unacceptable. Governor Yahaya Bello is too big for such a role, so the appointment should be reconsidered.

“The party and its presidential candidate should give the youths an assurance that the incoming government will be that of inclusivity, and the only way to do that is to ensure that youth is given the National Youth Coordinator position.

“Nigeria’s latest population estimate stood at 198 million, and half of the population is made up of the youths between ages 15-40. So the youths should be given top priority by any leadership in the country for inclusivity.

“We have over 300 youth groups under the Presidential Support Council, and we have all decided that we are not in support of Governor Yahaya Bello to lead the youths into the APC presidential campaigns for the 2023 general election.”

Source