By Iliya Kure
A Nigerian political group, Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has criticised the BBC and Voice of America, among other media, for carrying reports saying the group has endorsed Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, as presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.
A statement by its National Chairman, Elliot Afiyo, made available to AFRICA PRIME NEWS says, the group’s political committee has submitted only three politicians, “Senator Bala Mohammed, Chief Raymond A. Dokpesi and Senator Bola Tinunbu were recommended for consideration by the NEC.”
The group said despite press conference in Kano, conducted by Chairman of its Political Committee, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar to shed light on the position of the NYLF, some media organizations went ahead to broadcast and print erroneous reports.
“We then wondered from where the BBC and VOA got their own report that included Governor Nyesom Wike among the recommended persons and was subsequently endorsed by the NEC of the NYLF” the statement says.
The statement added that its “NEC meeting (held) in Sokoto was purposely convened to receive the political committee’s Report and fix a date for the Delegates conference, during which the delegates comprising all the Chairmen and Secretaries of the 42 affiliated Youth Organizations and all the Zonal Officers will vote. The candidate to be endorsed must get 2/3 of the total votes.”
The group therefore advised Nigerians to disregard any information on endorsement of candidates by NYLF for 2023 presidential elections, adding that it would not endorse anybody until the 20th of May, 2021, through a process that will be conducted in public view and in a transparent manner.
THE FULL STATEMENT
A Press Release by Comrade Elliot Afiyo, National Chairman of the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) on the 11th of April, 2021 at Sokoto.
The attention of the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has been drawn to so many publications in print and electronic media both in National and International Media Organizations claiming that the NYLF has endorsed Senator Bala Mohammed, Chief Raymond Dokpesi or Senator Bola Tinunbu as our preferred Candidates for 2023 presidential elections during our NEC meeting in Sokoto on the 10th of April, 2021.
Despite the fact that our Political Committee Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar has held a Press Conference in Kano to clarify the position of the NYLF, yet, some media organizations went ahead to broadcasting and printing the erroneous Report.
To this end, I wish to state clearly that the NEC meeting in Sokoto was purposely convened to receive the political committee’s Report and fix a date for the Delegates Conference during which the Delegates comprising all the Chairmen and Secretaries of the 42 affiliated Youth Organizations and all the Zonal Officers will vote. The candidate to be endorsed must get 2/3 of the total votes.
During our NEC meeting in Gombe on the 14th of February, 2021, the NEC shortlisted thirteen (13) Politicians and directed the political committee to carry out thorough research or checking on them and put forward their recommendations to the NEC.
From the Report presented to us only Senator Bala Mohammed, Chief Raymond A. Dokpesi and Senator Bola Tinunbu were recommended for consideration by the NEC. We then wondered from where the BBC and VOA got their own report that included Governor Nyesom Wike among the recommended persons and was subsequently endorsed by the NEC of the NYLF.
We want to reiterate and state clearly without any fear of contradiction that the NYLF has not and would not endorse anybody until the 20th of May, 2021 which by the grace of God, will be done in public view and in a transparent manner.
Until then, the public should discard and disregard any information on the endorsement of Candidates by the NYLF for 2023 Presidential Elections. We are not unaware of the scheming by some groups. But we have resolved and unequivocal too, to avoid the mistake of past.
Comrade Elliot Afiyo
National Chairman.
