BY NKECHINYERE OGINYI
The Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, COSMBYLA, says that only persons of good character, better mental capacity, a good conscience, respect for rule of law and due process, accountability, transparency, hard work, and corrupt-free will be voted into power in 2023.
COSMBYLA is the umbrella body of all the youth groups in the South East, South-South, South West, and Middle Belt regions.
A statement signed by Hon. Goodluck Egwu Ibem President General Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) Leader of COSMBYLA, Terrence Quantum.
Coordinator Forum of Middle Belt Youth Presidents (FMBYP), and others, the group said that the present political office holders have failed the youth woefully and such a mistake will not repeat itself in 2023.
According to them, only credible and transparent candidates will be voted into political offices in 2023.
They urged the youths to rise to the occasion because now is the time to show all corrupt political office holders the way out and elect people with zero tolerance for corruption in 2023.
"Nigerians have been deceived repeatedly in the past and we are wiser now. We are not letting any stone unturned.
"We the youth leaders of the South and Middle Belt regions saddled with the responsibility of speaking, directing, and guiding our youths accurately and rightly have decided to do the needful to position our country on the path of progress, growth, and development.
"Youths all over the world are the engine room of any country that desires to move forward and we are very ready and prepared to do our duties to move the country forward. This is not the time for blame games, it is a time of action and we are taking the action forthwith.
"The not too young to run bill cannot be implemented if old men and women who have been in power for the past 16 years refused to leave the saddle of leadership for the younger ones to come on board. Those who are old and have served the people for the past 16 years and have refused to stay clear from the political arena will be retired by force.
"It is very disheartening that some political office holders want to remain in power perpetually until they are called home by their creator. What a shame!
"These political office holders who are old and are unable to live up to the duty demands of the office they occupy have refused to leave office because they are neck-deep into corruption. The proceeds of corruption which there are enjoying have blinded their sense of Judgement.
"Some Senators, Members of the federal House Representatives, and Statehouses of Assembly have been on the seat for 16 years and are not ready to leave the office for the younger ones to come on board. They have turned themselves into Metusalla in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. Federal Ministers and Commissioners are not left out as most of them have overstayed their welcome.
"However, we will not be deterred by their antics, we will show them the way out when the time comes.
"Corruption is a disease, cancer that eats into the cultural, political, and economic fabric of society, and destroys the functioning of vital organs. Corruption is one of the greatest challenges of the contemporary world. It undermines good governance fundamentally distorts public policy, leads to the misallocation of resources, harms the private sector and public sector development, and particularly hurts the poor.
"Sustainable development both economic and social is impossible where corruption abounds. So many people have been sent to their early graves because of high-level corruption that has taken over all facets of our Society.
