By Lola Idahosa, Kaduna
Coalition of Igbos in Northern Nigeria, under the auspices of South-east Assembly of Politicians in the North in Kaduna strongly appealed to Nigerian voters to elect young and energetic people into elective offices, saying the country do not need people like old ‘Robert Mugabe’ in its governmental affairs.
The coalition added that a close study of most world leaders making history in their countries shows they are between 45 to 60 years of age, quickly adding that President Goodluck Jonathan and his running mate, Vice President Namadi Sambo as well as Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and his deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga respectively, should be given another chance to consolidate on what they have started.
Addressing Journalists at the secretariat of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kaduna state council, Coordinator of the coalition, Chief Frank Okonkwo, said though an old man may be a genius, but they still need energy to carry-out governmental tasks.
To achieve this, he urged intending voters to make use of two weeks’ extension given by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to get their permanent voters’ card ahead of March 28 and April 11 elections.
According to him, “We do not, and I repeat, we do not need a Robert Mugabe in Nigeria. Most world leaders making remarkable history in their countries are between 45 to 65 years. So, we want our youth to shine their eyes and vote for President Jonathan and Governor Yero in these elections.
“We belief in good governance as the only panacea for our future generation. We support Jonathan as a Nigerian not as Igbo. We supported Yar’adua as a Nigerian not as Igbo. We supported Obasanjo as a Nigerian not as Igbo. So, this government has done well and deem it fit to support it because it’s capable of protecting our lives, property and businesses.
“We have come because we belief in Nigeria project, that a better and peaceful Nigeria will guarantee the hope and aspiration for all of us.
“No threat or intimidation will deny us our voting right, we therefore encourage all Igbos in the North to see two weeks extension for the collection of PVCs as an opportunity to ensure that we get our cards ready to vote,” he added.
