By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
Ahead of next year’s general elections in the country, it has been observed that only the people of Nigeria can make the right choice to turn its fortunes around.
This observation was made by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state at the fathe -child dialogue on education and youth development organised by state ministry of youth and sports development in collaboration with the state chapters of students leaders forum and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN),held at the International Conference Centre, Kasarawa.
The statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Bello Muhammad further said Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal made it known,
at the ceremony, which was in commemoration of the 62 independence anniversary of the country,
Tambuwal reiterated that it is only when Nigerians can choose the right type of leadership and put same in place that the mission of rescuing the country and making it better again would be successful.
Recalling how, in 2019, he engaged some academicians in Sokoto state on the question of leadership selection in the state and admonished them to elect someone that have the competence, character and capacity to lead the state, the Governor noted that today similar challenge still loom large.
He said the candidates that Nigerians should strive hard to elect must be ones that not only project ideals and values they present to the people but their ability to provide good leadership.
Tambuwal thanked the people of Sokoto state for standing and rising to the challenge posed about four years ago, despite every and all effort to block his victory back in 2019. explaining that a fresh round of campaign has now started nationwide.
The governor further listed more qualities that the electorate should look out for before electing candidates. He suggested that they should not go for any candidate that is a tribal, sectional or a religious jingoist.
Instead, he offered that the people of the country should go for a candidate that is pan-Nigerian and has the capacity and experience to govern the country.
Tambuwal challenged the youths to always be conscious of the fact that moneybags, religious and ethnic champions will come around during elections flouting their propaganda and talking about the future of the country.
“We have not been doing what we have been doing just for us to please ourselves, but we are making continuous sacrificing, toiling and working round the clock to make sure that we showcase the best candidate to govern this country,” he added.
The governor said the youths must be very vigilant, conscious and exercise their franchise in the best interests of their country, while charging the people of the state, particularly the academia and the youths, on the challenge of ensuring that they will not suffer the choice of having a bad leader who will jeopardize the future of the state.
“We must not take the risk of allowing certain character to come back to the leadership of the state,” Tambuwal maintained, comparing the abysmal performance of his predecessor to the earnings that accrued to the state under him, which wasn’t utilized properly but wasted.
The governor appealed to the youths to continue to build on the solid foundation his administration has provided for them and consolidate on the gains. “ I have no tolerance for youth restiveness and for the engagement of our youths as political thugs. Anybody that asks you to engage in political thuggery, ask him to put his son forward,” he added
He stressed that under his leadership the state government will not allow leaders who encouraged the youths to go into drugs to seek electoral offices in the state.
