2023: Without Buhari On Ballot, We May Not Get All Votes — Osinbajo

*Charges APC youth to build grassroots base for
party

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday told members of the All
Progressives Congress, APC, not to assume that the bulk votes the
party had in 2015 and 2019 would remain intact in 2023 as President
Muhammadu Buhari whose personality attracted the votes will not be
on the ballot

Consequently, Professor Osinbajo charged the youth arm of the
party to work hard to build a stronger membership base, right from
the grassroots.

The Vice President stated this when he received a delegation of
the APC National Youth Lobby Group, who was at the Presidential
Villa to present the report of the party’s Youth Conference in June
this year.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President
on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu
Akande, stated that the Vice President’s call for the building of a
stronger grassroots base was because of the future.

Welcoming the idea of young people in the party forming the
group, the Vice President said, “this lobby group will need to deal
with the issue of inclusion at the grassroots first.”

According to him, “today, the APC can win elections, why not, we
have a very popular President who can control significant votes, we
have partners everywhere.

“Whereas, in the coming years, when we do not have such a
political leader who is as popular as the President, you are going
to need to do the hard work. We can’t assume that the votes will
all come in.”

Speaking on the role of APC youths, Osinbajo said “I think that
your group is more relevant today than ever before because you are
not only representing young people, but you have the energy to make
sure that this party actually works for all Nigerians.”

“One of the great opportunities that we have is that we have
young people like yourselves who are interested enough in politics.
All of you already have shown your capacities in various ways,
those who are in government have shown that they can do stuff.

“So, the next hard work now is how to get the younger people in
our communities, in our society into this party and to see
themselves as part of this party, in their hundreds of thousands,
in their millions, that is the next thing to do. I hope that you
will apply your resources and energy to do this,” the VP urged.

Commending the successful conduct of the recently held APC Youth
Conference, the VP said it demonstrated the ability of youths in
the ruling party to take interest in the future of the party and
the country.

He noted that “for once, young people showed that political
party is not just a platform for contesting elections but a
platform to debate ideas, it is about how the party can contribute
to policy development.”

Osinbajo said though the political environment is complicated,
the youths can get things done by their consistency and tenacity
demonstrated in all aspects of political party engagements.

Earlier in his presentation, the leader of the APC National
Youth Lobby Group, Barrister Ismail Ahmed thanked the Vice
President for being a consistent voice and supporter of youths
regardless of political affiliations but appealed for more youth
integration in the affairs of the party across all levels.

He said, “You have always been an advocate for young people, we
want you, sir, to be vociferous this time around. Please be our
voice, be our advocate and champion in everything that you will be
doing both in government and in the party.

“This party (APC) is ours, but how we will do as leaders
tomorrow depends on how well we are trained as followers,
today.”

Another member of the group and Director-General of National
Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Engr Inuwa
Abdullahi observed that the VP “is a source of inspiration to the
youths,” adding that the way he supports the youths in the country
“is second to none.”

Also present at the meeting were the Special Adviser to the
President on Political Affairs, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu; Special
Adviser to the President on Infrastructure, Mr. Ahmad Zakari, and
many youth leaders across the party including Hon. Asuquo
Ekpenyong, Mr. Hakeem Shagaya, Dr. Etin Osa, Ms. Fatima Kakuri, Mr.
Kabir Aregbesola among others.

*Charges APC youth to build grassroots base for
party

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday told members of the All
Progressives Congress, APC, not to assume that the bulk votes the
party had in 2015 and 2019 would remain intact in 2023 as President
Muhammadu Buhari whose personality attracted the votes will not be
on the ballot

Consequently, Professor Osinbajo charged the youth arm of the
party to work hard to build a stronger membership base, right from
the grassroots.

The Vice President stated this when he received a delegation of
the APC National Youth Lobby Group, who was at the Presidential
Villa to present the report of the party’s Youth Conference in June
this year.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President
on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Laolu
Akande, stated that the Vice President’s call for the building of a
stronger grassroots base was because of the future.

Welcoming the idea of young people in the party forming the
group, the Vice President said, “this lobby group will need to deal
with the issue of inclusion at the grassroots first.”

According to him, “today, the APC can win elections, why not, we
have a very popular President who can control significant votes, we
have partners everywhere.

“Whereas, in the coming years, when we do not have such a
political leader who is as popular as the President, you are going
to need to do the hard work. We can’t assume that the votes will
all come in.”

Speaking on the role of APC youths, Osinbajo said “I think that
your group is more relevant today than ever before because you are
not only representing young people, but you have the energy to make
sure that this party actually works for all Nigerians.”

“One of the great opportunities that we have is that we have
young people like yourselves who are interested enough in politics.
All of you already have shown your capacities in various ways,
those who are in government have shown that they can do stuff.

“So, the next hard work now is how to get the younger people in
our communities, in our society into this party and to see
themselves as part of this party, in their hundreds of thousands,
in their millions, that is the next thing to do. I hope that you
will apply your resources and energy to do this,” the VP urged.

Commending the successful conduct of the recently held APC Youth
Conference, the VP said it demonstrated the ability of youths in
the ruling party to take interest in the future of the party and
the country.

He noted that “for once, young people showed that political
party is not just a platform for contesting elections but a
platform to debate ideas, it is about how the party can contribute
to policy development.”

Osinbajo said though the political environment is complicated,
the youths can get things done by their consistency and tenacity
demonstrated in all aspects of political party engagements.

Earlier in his presentation, the leader of the APC National
Youth Lobby Group, Barrister Ismail Ahmed thanked the Vice
President for being a consistent voice and supporter of youths
regardless of political affiliations but appealed for more youth
integration in the affairs of the party across all levels.

He said, “You have always been an advocate for young people, we
want you, sir, to be vociferous this time around. Please be our
voice, be our advocate and champion in everything that you will be
doing both in government and in the party.

“This party (APC) is ours, but how we will do as leaders
tomorrow depends on how well we are trained as followers,
today.”

Another member of the group and Director-General of National
Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Engr Inuwa
Abdullahi observed that the VP “is a source of inspiration to the
youths,” adding that the way he supports the youths in the country
“is second to none.”

Also present at the meeting were the Special Adviser to the
President on Political Affairs, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu; Special
Adviser to the President on Infrastructure, Mr. Ahmad Zakari, and
many youth leaders across the party including Hon. Asuquo
Ekpenyong, Mr. Hakeem Shagaya, Dr. Etin Osa, Ms. Fatima Kakuri, Mr.
Kabir Aregbesola among others.