Political stakeholders in Anambra State have berated what they termed constant neglect and abandonment of youths by political party leaders, especially after general elections in the state.

The stakeholders, under the Independent Leaders Forum (ILF) regretted that the ugly practice has left party faithful stranded in deep loss of hope and in a state of confusion.

Addressing reporters on Saturday the President, Mr Obinna Okafor described the experience as both worrisome and unfortunate development in the state political space.

He lamented that the youths who were the worst hit, were always left in the wilderness without knowing who to follow or what to do next.

He said, “This scenario forced the ILF to emerge, with the aim of creating the platform to harvest the increasing number of vibrant youths and encourage them to key into the political arena to showcase their ability and capability to excel in politics.”

Citing example with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Okafor said: “PDP National Assembly candidates have always enjoyed much financial and political patronage, but they do not see the need to pursue the state House of Assembly contests to a logical conclusion.

“The party usually wins majority seats in the National Assembly election, but very few in the state assembly because while the NASS candidates have the financial and political capacity to individually prosecute their election, the youths, who vie for the state House of Assembly seats, are left to their fate with the attendant consequences.

“It is against this backdrop that ILF has come to provide a platform to assemble and harvest these young leaders to form a bloc and collectively present a strong voice in partisan politics of Anambra State.”

On his part, Vice President of the group, Mr. Patrick Afubara, said efforts were being made to enable its financially-strong members reap from governance of the state in the future, including having a voice in the nomination of candidates. (The Nation)