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Nigerians may not support Buhari’s re-election, Northern youths warn

By Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna
06 January 2018   |   2:58 am
Northern youths, under the auspices of Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to have a second thought regarding his decision to vie for re-election next year, saying his government has impoverished Nigerians.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Photo: Reuters

Say His Govt Has Impoverished Nigerians

Northern youths, under the auspices of Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to have a second thought regarding his decision to vie for re-election next year, saying his government has impoverished Nigerians.They also expressed concerned over the escalation of communal attacks, killings and kidnappings, which they said his administration has refused to address.

In a statement yesterday, in Kaduna, its president, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, said: “After a cursory look at the polity and events of the recent past, the Northern youths have decided to react to some of the issues, with a view to putting our imprint and thoughts on national discuss.

“Arewa Youth Forum is worried about the mindless killings all over the country, especially those in Benue, Kaduna, Kwara and Rivers states, also that these carnage is taking place in the New Year. Our thoughts are with those affected.

“We are even more amazed that this is coming shortly after the extension of the tenure of the service chiefs, as such, it calls for serious concern. Is this the good work the President extended their tenure for? “It is time to for them to justify their continuous stay in office or give way to those that can bring out a security architecture that can protect Nigerians.

“We are also worried that Nigerians had to go through the Yuletide with agony and pains because of the fuel scarcity, which still persist into the New Year, with the federal government not having a definite roadmap to ending the malaise.”On Buhari plan to seek re-election, Gujungu said the President has not justified why Nigerians should endorse his ambition, considering the economic hardship and poverty in the land, adding:

“This scenario was also compounded by the prevailing hardship Nigerians have been going through because of the actions and inactions of politicians and the elite, who we believed have not done enough to assuage the plight of the ordinary Nigerians.

“If you add these challenges to the corruption allegations that had plagued some high ranking officers of this administration, the inability of Mr. President to address same leaves a sour taste in the mouth of many Nigerians.

“Consequently, we are appalled to hear that in the midst of all these, the President and his men have already put in place measures to kick start his re-election bid for 2019. 

“As the apex body of youths in the 19 northern states and Abuja, with affiliates across the country, we see the re-election bid of Mr. President at this point in time as inhuman, uncalled for and an insult to the sensibilities of the suffering Nigerian masses.”

On the killings of Nigerians across the country, Gujungu argued: “We expect the President to visit some of the states and when he came to Kaduna, he should have condole with the people or even visit the area. 

“It was disheartening that when the President visited Kaduna State, black marketers were having a field day, as many of the stations were closed and the people where buying fuel at over N350 per litre. This, we believe, is not good enough.  

“Nigerians expect a more purposeful leadership from the champion of change than this anarchy in the land and the time to act is now, Mr. President,” Gujungu added.

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