Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Clinching the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket in 2023 may not be a tea party for the former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The senate president, Ahmed Lawan, has suggested that youth should be the preferred choice of the APC in 2023 to ‘sustain the momentous legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari. Tinubu is 69-year-old, far too old for the kind of presidential specification Lawan is advocating for.
Lawan bared his mind in a speech he delivered to close the First Progressives Youth Conference 2021 which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Monday, June 21.
He said the APC may face challenges after the exit of President Buhari from office in 2023, except timely interventions are taken to avert the crisis.
According to him, the party must begin to plan ahead to sustain the goodwill and legacies of the present administration by ensuring that the leaders hand over power to competent youths in the APC.
He noted that by doing so, the party would be able to retain its appeal and nationalistic outlook beyond the 2023 general elections.
He said: “Whether we like it or not, the truth is, President Muhammadu Buhari remains the person with the bulk of the support we get across this country in APC.
“When he leaves, he would still have some roles, but I daresay that it is after he leaves office that APC will face its challenge.
“Yes, we have to know our value then, and the value of APC presently is APC minus President Muhammadu Buhari. Whatever it is, that is the value of APC.
“So, we need to do a lot to build this party, and we need our youths more than ever before for them to continue with this legacy that this administration has established all over the country,” he said.
Beside Tinubu, the 46-year-old governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has indicated that he would be vying for the presidency in 2023. There are speculations that he is Aso Rock favourite.
The senate president’s appeal for a youth to carryon Buhari’s legacy may bolster the chances of Yahaya Bello for the APC ticket.
In the speech, the Senate President said the ongoing amendment to the 1999 constitution will accord priority to inclusion of youths in governance.
He said the aim was to ensure that power is divested to younger generation in a way that allows them to participate in the process.
“Power is not given by opposition. When we were out of power or when we came in, another party was in control of the country – the PDP.
“There was no way the PDP could have given us power a la carte, but the people of Nigeria mobilized and, of course, that government was voted out.
“But when it is a family affair, and this is my position, power is given not taken. Imagine yourself and your children, you want them to be better than you.
“But when you say power will not be given, that family is dysfunctional. So, power is given and can be given. How I wish it would be given.
“I am with you and I am on your side. I am still on the side that we can give power to our youths.
“We should enable them, prepare them and tell them this is the way to go. You have seen us do it, and you can do better because of the energy and capacity that you have.
“These days, our youths have more capacities, what they may lack is that clout.
“So, we also have to mentor our youths, but we have to give them the opportunity to participate in governance.
“I really feel we can do better to have more youths and more women in our government and party positions,” he said.