Momentum is gathering across the Niger Delta as a Network of professionals including artisans have collectively endorsed the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello as Nigeria’s next President come 2023.
The leader of the Network, Dr. Owen Stephen who made this known in a press statement issued in Benin, the Edo state capital on Tuesday, said the group which has recently enjoyed a groundswell of grassroots’ support in the region, is confident that Governor Bello possesses the requisite skill set to assume the mandate of presiding over affairs of the country at the national level.
The Network with the catchphrase; “The Bridge Agenda-Bridging All Gaps for a Better Nigeria”, made it clear that the aim of the movement which started in Edo state this year is to elicit support for Yahaya Bello across the South-South, noting that “Nigeria urgently needs a man with the capacity and more importantly, resourcefulness and youth to redirect the course of the nation come 2023”.
As preparations for the massive sensitisation of the Niger delta hit top gear, the leader of the Network, Dr Owen Stephen is upbeat that the South-South will throw its full weight behind Governor Bello should the latter decide to throw his cap in the ring.
In the press release, Dr. Owen maintained that the drive was to seek the mind of the Governor, while also appealing to him to join the race, observing that the youths of the Niger Delta and indeed Nigeria can only relate to Yahaya Bello as the 2023 presidential elections draw near.
“We are confident that a very well-coordinated sensitization and mobilization strategy together with actions planned will stand His Excellency in good stead as the candidate to beat come 2023.” He stated.
He further added that, “As we say, a good market sells itself. Governor Yahaya Bello represents Nigeria’s best chance to compete in the future.”
The South-South Youth Network is a dynamic group that cuts across the socio-economic and political stratification of the Nigerian polity and is firmly rooted in all nooks and crannies of the region, having in recent times conceptualized and delivered campaign mandates for chosen candidates across the political spectrum of Nigeria.
According to Dr. Owen, the Network has mapped out ingenious strategies including massive social media campaign laced with cutting edge polling and punditry systems while entrenching the age old grassroot mobilization movement.
“The Network which currently boasts of a burgeoning membership across the Six states of the South South geopolitical zone has in excess of fifteen thousand registered members but is still involved in active recruitment of new members.
“Our target is to have an official registered membership of at least Seventy thousand Youths before the end of this year.
“All his excellency needs to do is declare his ambition, then we would do the rest as long as this region is concerned. We are fully on ground”, he concluded.
