Nigeria’s former military head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar has thrown his weight behind the candidacy of Professor Christopher Imumolen as the young presidential candidate of the Accord Party attempts to become Nigeria’s next president in next year’s election.

The retired army general, who was Nigeria’s last military ruler and reputed to have midwife the process that ushered in the Fourth Republic and, with it, the democratically elected government of former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, made his position known when the 38-year-old Imumolen paid him a courtesy visit at Abubakar’s Minna home.

According to multiple media reports, Abubakar, during Imumolen’s visit, said Nigeria is in dire need of vibrant, youthful, and visionary leaders like the Accord candidate in order to finally retire the old guard and usher the country into a new phase.

Imumolen is the youngest among the candidates vying to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari. He is way younger than frontline candidates such as Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (75), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (70), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (61).

Imumolen is also younger than Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party (65).

“I think the old ones should fade away gracefully and allow young people to take over,” Abubakar said. “What we can do as former leaders is to mentor and tutor them in whatever way we can in order for them to lead the country.

“As a matter of fact, this is the time Nigerians should begin to support young, vibrant and visionary leaders that would steer the country on the path of glory,” he added.

Speaking earlier to a retinue of reporters at the home of the former leader, Imumolen reiterated his stance on the role the next generation of leaders, such as him, should play in taking the country to its Promised Land.

“We need to reposition the country on the path of development and sustainable growth. And if that must be done, Nigerians should start looking at selecting those who have a track record in leadership at various levels from both the private and public sector,” he said. (The Guardian)

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