Kogi youths have urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to choose a credible candidate ahead of the governorship election slated for the last quarter of the year.
The youths under the auspices of Kogi Youth Ambassadors for Change (KYAC), hinged their clamour for a credible candidate on their belief that only then, would the APC’s claim of being a different party from the PDP be accepted by Nigerians.
Speaking with Hallmark in Lokoja, Comrade Audu Ibrahim who is the leader of the group said, “The APC must live up to its name by bringing out someone of unquestionable character. The exemplary character of the person of the President, Muhammadu Buhari must reflect on the choice of the APC at the state level. In other words, Kogi would be a big test for Buhari and the APC”.
Bashir Yakubu, a senior member of the group also opined that the party must not make the mistake of the PDP.
He said, “The PDP made a big mistake by choosing Wada as the governorship candidate in 2011. This was someone who was never prepared for governance. In fact he never had a single poster before he was imposed on the PDP by his godfather, Ibrahim Idris. Although we are clamouring for new faces and men who are morally upright, we don’t want someone who doesn’t have an idea of what is going on in the state.
He further stated that, “there were aspirants who went around the whole state canvassing for support only for Wada to be given the mandate. I thank God that that there is no godfather in Kogi APC. It is still a new party so we are relying on the National leadership to create a level playing field for credible people to aspire.
Asked who their choice for governor is, they said they have not endorsed anyone yet.
Mohammed Kabir who is another member said, “We have not endorsed any candidate for now.
When we know all the aspirants, then we would access them carefully based on their antecedents. It doesn’t matter the persons tribe or local government area. All we need is someone who is well exposed and has a passion for the state to take it to greater heights.
“Kogi has been underdeveloped for too long without anything been done about the untapped resources”. He said.
