REJOINDER: KOGI POLITICS: “COUNT ME OUT OF YOUR ENDORSEMENT” NYCN PRESIDENT DISSOCIATES SELF FROM BELLO ENDORSEMENT »

It is laughable reading the story with the above headline which was attributed to a factional and unrecognized ‘President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria,’ Amb Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo. From the heading to the lead and the rest part of the hurriedly coupled ‘story,’ a truly discerning mind would understand that it was a hatchet job badly done. The writer is obviously one of those ‘jeun-jeun’ people masquerading as journalists just to put food on the table.

Besides, it was poorly done that it was rejected by other media note, but found an accomplice in observertimes.com. Let us help them make some progress in fame.

Back to Sukubo. It is funny that somebody who knows little or nothing about Kogi State and her people has the temerity to try to tell them what is good and what is not palatable for them. This is an insult on our collective sense coming from a Niger-Deltan whose leaders have continued to perpetuate embezzlement, leaving the youth of the area with nothing but hunger and deprivation. Little wonder there is continued rise in insecurity, corruption, maladministration, illiteracy, underdevelopment, poverty, armed banditry, kidnapping, crude oil theft, petty theft among others that have continued to create the most dangerous societies to live and do business in the country. This is despite the huge resources being popmped into the region by the Federal Government.

Recall that kidnapping of expatriates began from that region and has continued unabated?

That is by the way.

How can a fraud like Sukubo, whose legitimacy as Youth Council President is still being contested be granting the press interviews and uttering trash on issues over which he obviously has no idea? Where was he when the youths of Kogi State were reduced to sort of youths in states of the Niger Delta who are being used as thugs and street urchins, rather than useful members of the society that should be given opportunities in governance?

No state in the county currently has the percentage of youth in government like Kogi State. This is a clear justification that Governor Bello belongs to our constituency.

The truth is Governor Bello understands that youths constitute the largest population among the voting demographic worldwide and that is why he is allowing them have a feel of what governance is and are actively partaking in issues that concern them in the larger society. We are in an age where the young ones are taking over leadership locally and internationally; the Governor is therefore daring to be different and we are determined to be behind him one thousand percent.

Despite the propaganda war obviously being sponsored by the opposition in their orchestrated charade of media publications against Kogi State, we understand the true situation of things and are working closely with the government to address issues hampering its growth. We have seen the blueprint, we know the Governor means well and no form of sponsored media campaigns can stop us.

Back to the story, it seems the statements were uttered in a mumble because it is funny to partly read Sukubo saying; “We must make concerted efforts to liberate our people from the shackles of poverty and bad governance…” Again this is laughable considering the fact that he conveniently left out the prevailing situation in his native Niger Delta where the leaders are busy feeding on the youth ignorance, and he is here ‘taking panadol on other people’s headache.’

But to be candid, it is because of the love shown to the youths by Governor Bello that the Coordinators Forum of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) come out to donate the sum of N 2 million for the purchase of his expression of interest form and are prepared to go all out to canvass votes by campaigning for him to ensure he returns to complete his second term as Governor of Kogi State till 2023.

NYCN may be apolitical, but the Kogi State body has decided to publicly side with Governor Yahaya Bello as a shown of appreciation for the prestige and recognition he has brought to the body for the first time in the history of the state among other states.

Members of the council, especially its leadership are now being given the necessary recognition that they deserve; a departure from what obtained in the past. What we do in the state chapter is not the concern of the national body; particularly Mr Sukubo. Let them continue to bicker over their leadship wahala, we no send dem.

This is therefore advising Mr Sukubo to face his battle of legitimacy and leave the Kogi State chapter of NYCN alone before he bites more than he can chew as our endorsement of the Governor stands.

Build the Youth; Build the Nation!

Signed:
Comrade Abdullahi Adamu
Chairman of Coordinators’ Forum
National Youth Council of Nigeria
Kogi State Chapter