2023: Southeast, south-south youths begin mobilisation for Tinubu

A coalition of youth groups in the south-south and Southeast yesterday threw its weight behind the All progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Telescope.ng reports that the south-south, Southeast Coalition for Tinubu (SSET) said his records in public office make him better than others in the race for 2023 presidency.

The SSET, therefore, vowed to work towards the former Lagos State governor’s victory in the poll by mobilising 10 million votes for him in the Southsouth and Southeast.

Deputy youth leader of the coalition, Mark Mark, Nnamdi Ofonye, Victor Sorokwu, and Akiba Ekpeyong, stated these in Port Harcourt, Asaba and Calabar.

A former Ondo state commissioner for culture and tourism, Femi Adekanmbi, said the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council was a pointer that Tinubu would win the presidential election with a wide margin.

APC national vice-chairman (northwest), Salihu Lukman said in Abuja that Tinubu’s “consistency, integrity, and trust” put him ahead of his opponents in the promotion of democracy in the country and in the 2023 presidential race.

Mark told The Nation that Tinubu’s competence, experience, support for youths and penchant for discovering and empowering talents were the reasons the coalition decided to support him.

He added that SSET had already embarked on house-to-house sensitisation to dispel lies and misinformation against the APC candidate.

Mark said despite the activities of “ethnic bigots and religious fundamentalists,” Tinubu remains the best for the Presidency at “this critical moment of our history.”

His words: “Tinubu’s foundation in Lagos and his economic blueprint are visible even to the blind. We can recall how he stood against the military and fought for the democracy we are enjoying today.

“Tinubu is a man of courage and we know that he is the only one that will tackle the insecurity currently ravaging the country. Tinubu is the only one that has the best interest of youths at heart. He knows how to create enabling environment for youths to have jobs.

“Our coalition is currently penetrating the grassroots to preach the gospel of Tinubu to people. Our membership is increasing every day and our target is to give the APC Presidential candidate at least 10 million votes in the south-south and the southeast.”

Ofonye, whose group, Anioma Youth Forum (Worldwide), is a member of the coalition, said that the Tinubu/ Shettima ticket would solve the mounting security challenges and unlock the nation’s economic potential.

His words: “The Tinubu/Shettima Presidency is one some of us have been looking forward with great anticipation. Bola Tinubu has the capacity to make Nigeria great.

“When you look at his past records as former Lagos State governor, he has, despite being out of power since 2003, exerted considerable political clout and played a huge role in national development. He continues to mentor leaders in strategic positions of governance. He is a man with foresight and does not lack the courage to take tough decisions.”

Ofonye argued that the controversy over Muslim-Muslim ticket would not in any way impact negatively on the chances of the APC presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

He said: “We are not moved by the outcries. I am a staunch Catholic but a nation in dire need of development needs a capable leader like Bola Tinubu.

“We must downplay these sentiments. Tinubu has shown himself to be a liberal-minded man. There is no further validation of this than the fact that he is married to a Christian who is a pastor.”