A former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia State, Dr. Philips Nto, has urged old-time politicians to quit the stage for the younger generation to encourage more youths to participate in politics.
Dr. Nto made the appeal at his residence when two pressure groups, namely Abia Christian Youth Assembly and Bende Political Forum, visited to urge him to contest for the Abia North Senatorial seat in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He noted that the continued stay of old brigade politicians on the stage will rob youths of the opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria.
He cited the case of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as an example of those who ought to quit the stage for the younger generation.
“His Excellency was in the 1999 class of governors with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Before then, he had been a member of the House of Representatives. He is now a two-term Senator. He ought to move higher or quit politics completely so that younger people like us will be reporting to him,” he asserted.
While acknowledging that such longtime political players have a right under democracy to contest for any office, Dr. Nto argued that they should be guided by a moral force to give way to youths.
He, however, declared that he was humbled by the call by the two groups urging him to contest the Abia North Senatorial seat in next year’s election.
Dr. Nto, who is a former Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu (ASCETA), said he will seek the face of God in response to the requests.
According to him, before David confronted Goliath, he openly declared his trust in God, while the Philistine relied on weaponry and might.
“Now that these requests have come to my doorstep and no longer through social media, I will painstakingly consider them by seeking the face of God.”
He assured them that after his consultation with God, his family, and associates, he would make his decision public.
Earlier, the spokespersons of the groups, Engr. Prince Iroabueke, Mr. Divine Chibuike, and Rev. Okoro Okeke, told Dr. Nto that they were in his house to pledge their support for him to contest the Abia North Senate seat.
Rev. Okeke, who is the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Abia North, said the combination of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu as governor and Dr. Philips Nto as Senator will greatly benefit the people of Abia North.
“These are two winning tickets for Abia. We also support our leader and President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for 2027.”
They urged all Abia youths to identify with their kind by voting massively for APC so as to retire all the old brigade politicians in 2027.
