Emerging Leaders Forum Cautions Youth To Be Circumspect In Their Actions, Urges Tinubu To Live Up To Expectations

A youth group under the umbrella of Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON) has called on the Nigerian youths to thread with caution and shun politicians who would want to use them as willing tools to destabilise the country, warning against its dire consequences.

The group expressed their stance in a statement issued during their World Press Conference in Abuja on Thursday, March 4, 2023, which was signed by its leadership led by Amb. Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel, the President of ELFON.

Recall that the Independent Electoral Commission INEC led by Yakubu Mahmood had declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the just concluded Presidential election though under deep controversy, which has come with threats from various quarters,

In its reaction, ELFON outlined the incurable losses if they unwisely take laws into their hands since this is the only country they have, which they hope to leader in the nearest future even as they warn against ethnic and religious coloration in the present circumstance.

It however called the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take seriously the yearning of the youths so as to nip in the bud the growing loss of confidence and frustrations from misrule.

Read the Statement below:

A NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE EMERGING LEADERS FORUM OF NIGERIA (ELFON)

2ND MARCH 2023 IN ABUJA.

Fellow Compatriots,

Gentlemen of the Press,

It is with deep sense of patriotism that we the Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON) seized this opportunity to address Nigerians today.

It’s high time we all began to think Nigeria first irrespective of religious, tribal or ethnic sentiments.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections in Nigeria has just concluded the Nigerian Presidential election and has also declared a winner. We urge Nigerians, especially Nigerian youths and emerging Leaders in the 774 local government areas of the federation not to allow any individual or group provoke their sensibilities into any unruly act as it concerns the just concluded Presidential election.

INEC is empowered by the Nigeria Constitution to be independent hence shouldn’t be influenced by any person or group of persons in any guise, be it protest, demonstration, etc as any of such act may ignite unrest in our Nation today.

We have keenly monitored events unfold. Actions and inactions from some quarters are such that could trigger ethnic or religious crisis which will do us no good as a Nation.

The Nigeria Presidential seat is for Nigeria and Nigerians, not for any particular tribe or religion. The earlier we embrace this truth, the better for all of us and our dear Nation.

INEC is an institution of government ran by humans and not spirits, hence abnormalities are inevitable. Anyone, political party or group that feels their right have been trampled upon or their mandate stolen in any guise should for the sake of Nigeria’s unity and peace approach the courts to seek redress.

Nigerian youths must refrain from being used by politicians to create crisis in pursuit of their selfish interests.

The burning of shops in some States of the federation for whatever reason is highly condemned and we urge security agencies to immediately investigate for justice to take its course.

No tribe or ethnicity should see the Nigeria Presidential seat as their birth right or ancestoral throne of heritage as it is for us all.

We urge Nigerians not to attach Religion or ethnicity to any pursuit which is supposed to be for the good and benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians in general.

If INEC has gotten it right, the got it right for all religion, ethnicity and tribe in Nigeria. If INEC got it wrong, it got it wrong to affect all religion, ethnicity and tribe in Nigeria. Therefore no tribe or religion or ethnic group should see the outcome as their win alone or loss alone.

We the Emerging Leaders of our dear Nation and the generality of Nigerian youths will be the greatest losers if the Nigerian project is truncated hence our resolve to reorient and caution Nigerians to always think Nigeria First. “It is not always about who is right, but who is left”

We should rather outline our demands and expectations from the new government and pursue such, which include but not limited to an enabling environment for the Nigerian youths to live their dreams and become part of the project.

To Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we Congratulate you on your emergence as Nigeria’s president -elect as we pray God to give you the wisdom and Grace to live up to the expectations of Nigerians and better our dear Nation Sir. As Emerging Leaders of our dear Nation, we wish to advise that you carry everyone along. 

We salute the doggedness of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari who never compromised his integrity.

To all presidential candidates who weren’t declared winner, pursue your matters with every sense of patriotism if truly is about the good of Nigerians and for Nigerians. Let your pursuit not have ethnic or religious colouration because it will be resisted by us all if it does.

We equally thank the Nigerian Armed forces and all security agencies for their gallantry and never say die spirit in protecting lives and properties.

We thank Nigerians for being more patriotic this time.

God bless Emerging Leaders of Nigeria

God bless Nigerians

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Signed:

Amb. Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel,

National President, Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON) comprising the leaderships of:

1. Speaker, Niger Delta Youth Parliament

2. Speaker, Oduduwa Youth Assembly

3. Senate President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)

4. President, Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Assembly

5. Speaker, Nigerian Students Parliament

6. Speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria

7. President, Northern Youth Peace Ambassadors, etc