2023 Presidency: Wike, NYLF, Snub Atiku, Tinubu, Back Bala Mohammed

Daily Rendezvous

Rivers state governor Nyesome Wike and the North's most influential power brokers in Nigeria, Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has once again snubbed Atiku, Tinubu, and other presidential hopefuls, and has thrown the weight of its support on Sen. Bala Mohammed, the executive Governor of Bauchi state saying, he remains the best candidate to move Nigeria out of its current economic and security challenges.

Comrade Elliot Afiyo, the national Chairman of NYLF said, the group's earlier endorsement of Bala Mohammed, has been justified and strengthened by the New Year message of the Rivers state governor, Nyesome Wike, who said PDP has the brightest chance of reclaiming power in 2023 only if the party fields Bala Mohammed as its candidate.

Comrade Elliot Afiyo made this known at a World Press Conference held Wednesday in Lagos, Nigeria.

Speaking on the reasons for the forum's endorsement of Bala Mohammed, Elliot said, "You may recall that the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) held a World Press Conference on the 27th of December, 2021 where we briefed you on the possibility of political alignments, defections and also unveiled our choice for 2023 Presidential elections. 

"During that Press Conference, we were able to give you reasons beyond reasonable doubt, of our conviction that Senator Bala Mohammed (CON) is the best person to take Nigeria to her promised land. We also briefed you on the need to convince the Southern Governors and other critical stakeholders to support a Northern Candidate in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 so as to attain or achieve the desired change of Government in 2023. 

"This will not only guarantee the political stability and development but also ensures unity, peace and progress of our beloved nation Nigeria. It is in line with this belief and conviction, that we address you today."

The group said, its endorsement of the Bauchi state governor has been  followed by similar support from women groups, international group's and most recently, Governor Nyesome Wike.

Elliot said, "Apart from the unanimous endorsement by the NYLF, other notable Youth Groups, Women Associations, Local and International Organizations have also endorsed Senator Bala Mohammed based on his antecedents, dispositions, novel approach, qualitative leadership traits, religious tolerance and above all, passion and love for fairness, truth and justice.

"In line with these endorsements, we would like to remind you of the ‘New Year’ endorsement of Senator Bala Mohammed by our courageous Governor, Barr. Nyisom Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers State. 

"Barr. Wike boldly sent a goodwill message to Nigerians on New Year’s day and I quote: ‘God will not forgive PDP if the Party fails to rescue Nigeria in 2023 and the best person that can lead us is Bala Mohammed because PDP stands the brightest chance of winning the 2023 Presidential elections with Bala Mohammed as her Candidate’."

He added that, "We don’t need to bother you with some exceptional qualities of Senator Bala Mohammed which His Excellency, Governor Wike enumerated in his message of hope and freedom; but just to let you know that Bala Mohammed does not believe in confrontation, mudslinging, blackmail, blame - game and lococumulation, force - mutation and circulorogy. 

"That is to say that, Nigerians and indeed the International Community will have no cause to suspect or perceive any of his actions as contrary to the collective or corporate interest of Nigerians and their Partners. Sen. Bala’s administration will be an inclusive, well focused, policy driven, intellectually and intelligently administered."

Clearing the air on whether it was supporting the governor because he is  northerner, the group maintained that the former FCT minister is the most competent and evolved Nigerian to deal with the canterkerous monster of banditary, terrorism, tribalism and nepotism bedeviling the country.

Elliot said, "We are not canvasing for Senator Bala as President because he is from the North-East, nor because he is a Northerner, we are calling on Nigerians to support him because he is an advanced citizen fully equipped with intellectual capacity, experienced, knowledgeable, full of grace and wisdom, very competent and above all ready and willing to deliver.

"Above all, he has the ability and capacity to address the cancerous monsters called Banditry, Terrorism, Kidnapping, nepotism, tribalism, corruption and Occultism. 

"He is one Nigerian who has served in the Civil Service and rose to the position of a Director, served as a Senator and as a Minister of FCT for six years without a trace of a Kobo or Naira of Government to his account. 

"He is a very rare Nigerian that pants for the welfare of the people without any religious, ethnic, regional or political sentiments or differences.

"The NYLF has decided and concluded without any doubt or mincing words, that we would in a short while convince Senator Bala Mohammed to hearken to the numerous calls from Nigerians and even the International Community to accept and also declare his intention to contest the 2023 Presidential election.

"Thank you and God bless you."

As 2023 approaches, the NYLF, a Northern group, has been defiant in endorsing Bala Mohammed to take PDP'S ticket for the 2023 presidency, raising myriads of questions as to what happens to Atiku Abubakar's presidential ambition.

It us of note that Atiku was PDP's presidential candidate in the 2019 elections against president Muhammadu Buhari and not be be endorsed by his region's most influential group speaks volumes given that NYLF's endorsements historically, has been a monumental decider of where the pendulum favorably swings politically.