The Chairman, Board of Trustees, of the newly registered Action Democratic Party (ADP), Chief Alani Bankole, has called on leaders above 65 years of age to stay away from elective positions in the country, saying that there are able and patriotic youths who are zealous and can lead Nigeria to the Promised Land.
Bankole, a politician and the father of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, said this recently in Abeokuta, in his speech during a special Ramadan prayer and lecture, organised by the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN).
He gave reasons why his party will not field people of older generations for elective posts, saying that they should take to advisory roles.
Bankole tasked youths to be actively involved in governance in order to drive the country positively at all levels of government.
“Anybody that is above the age of 65 years by my estimation has no business in governance. We are not saying that the elders should be totally skimmed out of the scheme of things. My position is that they should go to the background and provide young people the necessary advice and mentoring.
“We have many young people who have given account of themselves in the private sector and public office. There are countless of them who have the zeal, understanding and the drive to turn things around positively,” he said.
On secession, Bankole, urged the Federal Government to address all agitations from different groups in the interest of unity.
He said that government must identify the major grievances of the groups and engage those whom he described as the “right” people in dialogue.
Bankole said further “We must ensure that the selections of those to dialogue with are not based on political calculations. They must be true representatives of the people who are truly in tune with the plight of the people. In that way, we will be on the path to achieving the desired results.
“The more we continue to politicize critical national issues; our unity will remain on the line. We must equally realize that there cannot be true peace without honesty, transparency and fairness.”
He urged Nigerians irrespective of religious backgrounds to be ambassadors of peace.
