The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), on Wednesday, declared that the South-South zone of the country should be allowed to produce the President in 2023 to complete its eight-year slot.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, the leader of the group, Mohammed Danlami, also called for a generational change of leadership come 2023.

Danlami, who noted that there are subtle moves in some quarters for the north to retain power come 2023, said it is grossly unfair and malicious for anyone to advocate that power should remain in the north in 2023.

According to him, “Arewa Youth Assembly has noticed a series of misleading comments being orchestrated by some political buccaneers over leadership factor that north should retain the national leadership come 2023.

“It is grossly unfair, malicious and wicked for all those fuelling or promoting this project.

“We say no! We say no!! We say no!!! Our great nation has not fulfilled its potential and our realities are far from our ideals, it is time for a new generation to build a modern Nigeria.”

He said the Nigerian youths should take a cue from emerging global change in political leadership and “take charge to build the Nigeria of our dream”.

The group maintained that the north had ruled the country more than any section since independence, stressing that: “It is time for the South-south youths to produce the next president in 2023 to complete their eight years of leadership.”

Danlami said nobody has an idea where the nation would be heading to if the north retains power in 2023, adding that: “The greatest challenge facing Nigeria today is that of leadership.”

He said Nigeria needs an inspiring leadership that can move the country forward by uniting the people and propel development.

“We need leaders with vision and passion because sound and visionary political leadership is vital for Nigerian peaceful co-existence,” Danlami said.

The group stated further that Nigeria would experience peace, stability, development and progress “when we have a youthful leader who is committed in prioritising the interest of the people and doing everything in his power to achieve set goals“.

“With this timely intervention ahead of 2023, we are championing the course of youths within the age bracket of 40 to 50 years to lead Nigeria to the promise land.

“A vibrant youth who is detribalised, a youth who have vision enough to foresee the needs of the people and must be compassionate enough to match these needs with actions.

“For Nigeria to progress, no time for experimentation, sentiments, tribalism or mediocrity. So, such a man must be strong enough, articulate and incorruptible; he must have a good sense of judgment, unquestionable integrity and be full of honour and moral courage.

“The expectation of 2023 leadership is high, but we are constrained to speak up on the unnecessary distraction and our solidarity towards our fellow brother from South-south towards enthroning a new leadership in 2023.

“Our country belongs to all of us. As youths, we have a duty to make it better and we have a duty to retire and stop recycling old politicians permanently.

“The choice before us is to change the narratives towards political leadership. Come 2023, it is between progress and retrogression, between our youth leadership, freedom and our continuing false imprisonment.

“It is time for a brilliant and industrious youth who is prepared to rebuild our nation from its foundation be it a Christian or a Muslim.

“We are with our brothers from South-south to produce a youthful leader with depth and substance, a leader with focus attention on knowledge economy by prioritising education and investing hugely in the health sector for transformational growth,” the group said. (THISDAY)