2023: Saraki, PDP Undermines Youth Development In Kwara, Says Youth Advocate

Kwara Central Representative in the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) 5th Assembly Hon. Ibraheem Abdullateef has flayed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara for allegedly electing a 50-year-old man as Youth Leader during the congress held in October 2021. 

PDP had unanimously elected Comrade Haliru Dantsoho, a grassroots politician from Baruten local government, as youth leader against much younger aspirants to the consternation of Kwara youths. 

Reacting to the development during an interview granted to Vanguard, Ibrahim said the decision portrayed the leadership of the party as insensitive to the inclusion, growth, and development of young people in politics.

"Bukola Saraki particularly gives no Kwara youth an option to choose him. As he was celebrating the emergence of a 25-year-old as PDP Youth Leader, he anointed a man about 50 years old for Kwara. His counterpart APC presented a 35-year-old," Abdullateef remarked. 

Speaking further, he also decried the decision of the party to zone the gubernatorial ticket without allowing for a fair primary among aspirants from different districts, alleging the National leader of the party, Senator Bukola Saraki of killing the dreams of other people. 

"As a man fighting tooth and nail against the zoning of presidency in PDP to allow him contest, he (Saraki) woke up a few days after his 59th birthday and declared that a region would get the ticket, tightening the noose on the aspirations of others. He (Saraki) does not do what he preaches. 

The Alumnus of African Liberty Fellowship urged political parties and leaders to allow young people space to thrive in politics and leadership to boost the agenda for inclusion and growth in the country.