The presidential aspiration of the former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has suffered another setback as youths in Niger State vowed to back the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, for the 2007 presidential race.

The youths, under the aegis of Niger South Democratic Initiatives, spoke in an interview with our correspondent, through their president, Mr. Taoheed Ladan, shortly after a rally to some parts of Minna on Thursday.

The NSDI described the need for justice and fairness as the spirit behind its determination to back Attah‘s candidacy.

According to Ladan, ”Fairness and justice are a sine qua non for societal development. We strongly believe that the emergence of a president from the South South part of the country is vital in redressing the injustice against the region.

”Some people may be surprised that we decided to support Attah‘s candidacy, but I wish to let you know that if we embark on politics of bigotry and tribal sentiments the country will not grow. We need to shun politics of emotion and sentiments, as the nation is greater than any individual or group. We should let the interest of our country be paramount in our minds above personal or selfish interests.”

He stated that the South South region had not been fairly treated by the other parts of the country going by its contribution to the nation’s economy.

He described the decision of the group to support Attah as based on its conviction that the Akwa Ibom State governor is a detribalized Nigerian, who will be fair not only to the north but to all parts of the country.

Ladan commended Attah for immensely working for the development and growth of Akwa Ibom State and expressed the hope that the governor, if elected to rule the country, would work towards consolidating the gains of the present administration.

He described most of the programmes of the present led Federal Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo as laudable and stated the need for continuity in government policies in achieving the desired economic recovery.

The youth leader, who attributed the growing poverty in the country to mismanagement of the nation‘s resources by its past leaders, expressed the confidence in Attah to be able to continue with Obasanjo‘s anti corruption crusade.

He described the anti corruption war as having gone a long way in sanitizing the country and redressing its battered image.


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