By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Thirty six years old aspirant for the National Chairmanship of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), from Niger state, Mohammed Saidu Etsu, has formally declared his intents to contest for the party’s number one seat, insisting that he is the most suitable for the job.
Mohammed Saidu Etsu, an Aide to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state is challenging Senator Sani Musa (Sani 313), also from Niger state who had declared his intents to contest the chairmanship seat and has also received the Governor’s endorsement.
But Saidu after formally joining the race in Minna, the state capital, promised to first rebrand the APC to instill party supremacy above individual members as well as build strong internal democracy with a reward system for distinguished party members.
Saidu Etsu made the declaration at the state APC secretariat where he solicited for the support and blessings of members as he presents himself for the national office, accompanied by over a hundred youths endorsing his candidature.
The aspirant told the state party chairman, Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro with groups of youths chanting the slogan, ‘APC Re-set Agenda’ and a banner with the same inscription that he was on a mission to move the party from "current stagnation" to enviable heights.
He said "Nigeria is currently in dire need of genuine change for the party and it is only a young vibrant, visionary, experienced and non sentimental candidate like me can build an APC of Nigerian's dream".
Saidu who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the ‘not-too- young-to-run’ bill which is an indicating of the confidence he has on Nigerian youths, however solicited for the support and blessings of the party ahead of the national convention.
Niger state APC chairman, Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, in his response, encouraged the national chairmanship aspirant to also intimate the state party leaders and Governor of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of his aspirations.
While assuring hundred percent support and loyalty as he awaits the Governor's direction, Jikantoro told his guest that youths have proved their worth holding strategic positions and have been the ones determining election results due to their population. That, he said, encouraged him to remain focused as he joins the national chairmanship race. NNL.
