A frontline political group in Nigeria, Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has denied endorsing Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike or any other candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections, saying only three candidates were recommended and Woke is not part of them.
This was contained in a statement signed by the NYLF President, Comrade Elliot Afiyo, made available to our correspondent, which frowned at media reports, claiming the group endorsed Wike, others.
“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 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 Tinubu
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,” it said.
The group explained that the he 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,” it added.
They reiterated and stated 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,” the statement emphasized.
