By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
A group of young Nigerians, operating under the aegis of Niger Delta Youths Forum, NDYF, has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt the Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, as the consensus presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Describing Ayade as the best Individual who can help the nation bounce back, the group, speaking through its Chairman, Mr. Henry Onwe, made the call while speaking at an interactive session with journalists yesterday in Calabar.
The NDYF stressed that with Ayade, 70 per cent of the problems troubling the nation in recent times can be mitigated, charging President Buhari to adopt Ayade as the APC consensus candidate.
The forum described Ayade as a detriablised Nigerian, who has what it takes to manage the affairs of the nation
Onwe stated that Ayade as the standard bearer of the party, if elected would engender unity, promote cohesiveness and enhance easy victory for the party in the presidential election.
He said, “The personality that Ayade possesses is very rare. His performance as governor speaks volumes.
“Projects like the 245-kilometre super highway, construction of the longest dual carriage way, spanning through five local government areas in the Northern part of the state stands him out as the best man among the lot for the 2023 Presidency.”
Onwe, who was backed by the executive and hundreds of members of the forum said that Cross River State has some of the largest industries in the country currently, all established by Governor Ayade, inspite of the paucity of funds accruing to the state and its high debt burden.
He added, “It takes someone with the intelligence, sagacity and vision of a personality like Senator Professor Ayade to perform the feat witnessed in the state.
“There is the largest garment factory, the best state university for medicine and law and high yield vitamin rice factory in Africa in the state today, courtesy Ayade. If he could achieve this with near zero allocation, then he can transform Nigeria to the country of our dreams in just four years.”
He said since Ayade indicated interest in the 2023 Presidency, all he has done is to highlight his blue print on how he would combat insecurity, the economy, enhance entrepreneurial advancement and this he has done with clarity and exceptional passion without any form of desperation and this is what good leadership needs.
Onwe continued, “He has the best security architecture and over 20,000 appointees who are regularly and promptly paid every month, which is a clear indication that Governor Ayade stands head and shoulders above all other contenders, which make him fit to occupy this position to the benefit of our people and make our country proud.”
The Forum stated that Ayade has zeal, commitment to development and the prerequisite ability to turn the fortunes of the country around within a short period as President and accordingly advised the delegates to be patriotic and vote for someone who is prepared to develop all parts of the country without any partiality.
He added, “We in Niger Delta Youth Forum appeal to President Buhari to look closely at the profile and track record of each aspirant before taking a decision on who to adopt as the consensus candidate. Ayade is detribalized, has enough capacity, commitment to the cause of development of this country and should therefore be the one adopted as the consensus candidate of our dear party.”
The Forum noted that monetary inducement should not be the yardstick on which aspirants are voted but credibility, ingenuity, track record and vision should be the planks and Ayade obviously possesses those qualities.
The youths implored the delegates to be guided by love for the country and the future generations of Nigerians yet unborn in taking their decision.
