The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has directed party members or groups planning to purchase the 2027 presidential nomination form for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to shelve the idea, as a group of youths from Kogi State has already procured the form.
The chairman announced this on Monday at the party’s National Secretariat shortly after receiving a N100 million Zenith Bank cheque from a group of Kogi youths led by the state governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo.
Receiving the manager’s cheque, the APC Chairman said, “With this payment, henceforth, I want to make an announcement that nobody should bother to bring money to buy a form for Mr. President again. Because the form has been procured in advance. And I want to thank you for this procurement.”
Elated by the action of the Kogi youth, the chairman applauded their patriotic act. He said this represented a total departure from the past culture where youths were hangers-on, noting that they took leadership initiative for a better future.
Addressing newsmen, the APC Chairman, who was accompanied by members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), said the youth noted that their action was informed by the people-oriented programs and policies of the President since 2023 and should be allowed to continue in 2027.
According to Yilwatda, “They listed their valid reasons why they want Mr. President to come back. They said the economy has improved, and all indices are looking green and positive.
“They said Mr. President is tackling security in their state, along with Mr. Governor (Kogi State), and the pockets of the people disturbing them within the communities. Mr. President has sent military men, and Mr. Governor has provided the enabling environment by providing supporting devices for the military to tackle them.
“They said Mr. President has given them appointments; some include the Chief of Army Staff, the National Chairman (of APC), and several other appointments.”
Yilwatda further said that the youth also praised the president for empowering them and entrusting them with leadership responsibilities in sensitive positions.
“We have seen it by the appointments he has done. A lot of young people are in governance. You can see it at the party. I had the opportunity of being the youngest National Party Chairman during Mr. President’s tenure.
“You can see a lot of young people appointed by Mr. President as CEOs in different capacities. That’s why they donated the sum of 100 million Naira to Mr. President for him to procure his nomination form and expression of interest form.
Today is one of the happiest moments in this party, as we are seeing young men, youths from Kogi State, taking a decisive action. Not to ask what the government or the president will do for them, but what they can do to support Mr. President, that will help him return in 2027 and do much more for their people.
Commending the youth, the chairman further said, “To me, this is the first time in the history of Nigeria that the youths are coming forward. They are not saying that they will take us to Mr. President, maybe give us something, give us an appointment, or attend to us.
“But they are saying that we don’t want to see Mr. President, but we want to buy the form for him. That’s unique. You are a torchlight. You are a pillar. You are an example to all the youths of Nigeria. And we are proud, and I’m also proud that these youths are members of my party,” the chairman proudly stated.
In his brief remarks, Governor Ododo said the youth in the state are appreciative of the recognition that President Tinubu has accorded Nigerian youths.
“In the history of this country, no government has ever given the youth as much space as Mr. President has done right now, of which I am a beneficiary as we speak.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
