Bomba Dauda
The deputy governor to former Gov. Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State and Board of Trustees (BOT) member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, said, youths constitute a high percentage of the party and that there is deliberate attempt by the party leaders to carry the youths along.
Bajoga made the assertion during a media chat with journalists in Kaduna recently.
“From available statistics, youths formed a large percentage of the party membership both at the national and the state,” he said. Adding, “Unfortunately, they are the ones suffering the brunt of the economic hardship in the country.
“Any party that want to win elections, anyway, can not neglect the youths and women because they form a large proportion of the population of this country.
However, Bajoga insisted that the party had not treated the youths unfairly. He pointed out, in strong terms, the roles the youths have been playing in the internal politics of the party and how they have been able to shape opinions.
“When it comes to congresses, it is the youths that are in control. Who they choose wins. Whether we like it or not, the process will repeat itself, and the youths will have their own ways. Go to every local government and call the executives of all the wards, hardly you can find anybody who is 60 years among them. They are all youths.
“All our councillors in all the 23 LGAs of Kaduna State are youths. Nobody has deprived the youths of anything. They have all the opportunities, and they have all the chances.
“If it comes to congresses, you will find out that it is the youths who are calling the shots. They will be the local champions there. When we are talking about the youths, I don’t know where we have faulted. When we are talking about the youths, we are always focusing on the presidency, ministerial appointments, and whatever. But, right from the grassroots up to where the congresses matter, 99% of all the roles are played by the youths.
At stakeholders meetings, you will find out that those that are hanging around, 99% of them are the youths. Even when they are observant, they shape the thinking. They shape opinions and make things work. There is a deliberate attempt to live it for the youths. We are ready to hand over. We, the elders, we are more of counsellors. So, let the youths take over.
