The Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) with its 42 affiliate groups, has endorsed His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State as its preferred candidate for the 2023 presidency.
The National Chairman of the Forum, Eliot Afiyo declared this at the groups’ 27th national delegates conference held Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa State.
He said the Forum endorsed Mohammed, who scored 116 votes against his closest challenger, Raymond Dokpesi, who scored 28 votes.
Mr Afiyo said it is time for Nigeria’s restoration and that after careful consideration and investigation, the group has confidence that Mohammed has the capacity and competence to address Nigeria’s economic, political and security challenges.
“It is no longer news that the NYLF comprises of 42 Northern Youth Groups has been saddled with the responsibility of shortlisting, investigating, screening and endorsing a credible candidate for every presidential election by her patrons since 1999 till date.
“This onerous and patriotic task is considered among many others, as a necessity and the most important duty by the NYLF which is being pursued vigorously and religiously by the Forum from 1999 to 2019.
“It is pertinent to note that all the members of the National Executive Committee are present and voted for the first time since the establishment of this Forum.
Mr Afiyo thereby directed all members both home and abroad to immediately commence consultations, lobbying and campaigning for the choice Candidate even though he was not contacted.
He further said that the endorsement, however, does not and will not stop any group from endorsing any candidate of their choice.
“But for us in NYLF and all the affiliated groups, our endorsement of Gov Bala Mohammed of Bauchi remains sacrosanct and this is our standpoint and there is no going back.
“We are calling on Governor Bala Mohammed, as a matter of patriotism, to accept this decision of the Forum to contest the 2023 Presidency under any Political Party of his choice”, Afiyo said.
