By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
Member, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, has said that contrary to speculations that the youth are being relegated in the scheme of affairs, they are the vanguards of the party.
Bajoga disclosed this on Friday in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
“Any party in this country that intends to win elections, cannot do such in isolation of the youths and the women.
“By statistics, the youth form a very large percentage of the population of this country and unfortunately, they are the ones suffering the brunt of the economy.
“Today, the youth are at the forefront of electoral processes beginning at the districts, wards, states and national levels as much, nobody has denied them any opportunity,” Bajoga said.
The PDP stalwart said that right from the grassroots where the congresses start, where it matters, the youth are involved.
He said, “They shape the opinion and they make things work, as such, there is a deliberate attempt to leave it to the youth and work with the youth but it must be with the mixture of both to checkmate exuberance.”
Bajoga said, “Our generation as it is, has handed over. We only play advisory role, attending burial and wedding ceremonies now. They have completely taken over.
“Even at the composition of the members of the National Assembly, there are no people of my age there even at the local government level, these are young people”.
Bajoga, who expressed optimism in the party, said the aspirations can be achieved when the members hold firm to the ideals of the pioneers of the party.
“The party provided opportunities for especially Southern Kaduna people to hold substantive positions including, Senatorial, Minister and other key positions at the Federal and State levels.
“Our presence in government uplifted the Southern Kaduna region which gave rise to development particularly in infrastructure.
“We tarred roads and best water works in Kwoi, Zonkwa and other places.
“When you come to the Military, we have never had it so good because by the time PDP came to power, we have Chiefs of Army and Naval Staff, all within the same region which had never happened in the history of the Military.
“Recall also we had leadership including; the GMD of NNPC, Head of Industrial Court all from the Southern Kaduna enclave.
“The creation of chiefdoms is another gain we recorded even though our aim was to have Gurara state,” Bajoga said.
He, however, regretted that the Labour Party robbed PDP the opportunity of winning elections in 2023, adding, “although liked by many, I didn’t see the LP winning elections in Kaduna State.”
He said, “We have to retrace our steps, retrace our thinking on what we actually want in Southern Kaduna.”
On whether PDP was considering a merger with other parties, Bajoga hinted that the Labour Party and PDP were talking and considering forming some kind of alliance.
He said, “It is now up to the leadership of the parties to come together to work out modalities on that alliance.
“Not only Labour, there are other smaller parties like the NNPP but we don’t know what the final outcome would be until we get to that bridge and we hope we shall reach some kind agreement.”
