A coalition of 22 youth organisations of the All Progressives Congress, on Thursday, unanimously endorsed the founder and coordinator of Buhari Support Organisation, Ibrahim El-Dabi, as its aspirant for the 2023 presidential race, on the platform of the APC.
Members of the organizations included the National Youth Council of Nigeria; APC Youth Integrity Network; APC Youth Vanguard; APC Young Professionals Movement; APC Unity Group for Goals; APC Youth Support Group for Better Nigeria; Muhammadu Buhari Youth Emancipation Strategic Movement, as well as 15 other groups.
They premised their support on El-Dabi’s passion for the youth, his digital approach to governance, and his antecedent in critically analysing issues with focused attention to the public’s concern.
In a communique signed by the coalition’s co-coordinators, Igwe Ude-umanta and Danesi Momoh Prince, which was made available to journalists in Abuja, the youth leaders said they also endorsed El-Dabi for his credentials and capacity.
If eventually elected Nigeria’s president, the group noted that El-Dabi was capable of tackling the problems that are causing Nigerians sleepless nights, particularly insecurity and poverty.
“For the records, Dr. Ibrahim Bello El-Dabi, holds a Doctorate in Business Management, a successful businessman, a leadership development consultant, a policy analyst, and a philanthropist. He is also a political leader of note.
“Now that we hear of the efforts of the All Progressives Congress to reach a consensus in its candidacy, it is our earnest expectation that he should be granted the right of first refusal,” the communique read in part.
“This will no doubt ensure a massive youth support for the party and victory in the 2023 elections would have been assured before voting starts”, the coalition said.
The organisations recalled that during the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)’s assent to the Not Too Young To Run Law in 2019, he praised the legislation and appealed to the youth to support him, and that he would in turn support them after his tenure.
The document described the President’s plea as “a promissory note and cheque”, stressing that 2023 is the time to cash it and there should not be any bankruptcy about it.
“We hereby remind Mr. President and the APC of this promise, and we urge them to honour it now that the youth has presented somebody who is eminently qualified to lead.
“We shall continue to stand by and defend the youth mandate which is the core objective of the Youth O’Clock Programme of the young people. There shall be neither a retreat nor a surrender on this mandate”, it stated.
The communique listed other qualities of the aspirant to include fairness, thoughtfulness, generosity, intelligence, and dedication to a good cause, with resounding achievements that resonate across the country.
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