2015: Jonathan exploiting unemployed youths in re-election agenda-Buhari Vanguard

From Akilani Abdullah, Lagos

A group, Buhari Vanguard has warned President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to stop exploiting the myriads of unemployed youths in the country in carrying through his re-election agenda describing it as ‘a total mockery and disrespect to the unemployed Nigerian youths’.

This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday by the Chairman of the group, Comrade Jasper Azuatalam saying the group has been able to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the President has resorted to taking advantage of the unemployment status of the Nigerian youths.

The group noted that President Jonathan is using unsuspecting and unemployed Nigerians who were being raised for training under the Federal Task Force, a training which aimed at creating work for unemployed Nigerian Youths to endorse his re-election bid at a campaign recently in Lagos.

The statement reads, “President Goodluck Jonathan is now using the plight of the Nigerian youths to carry through his re-election agenda in 2015 by forcing them against their will to attend his campaign rallies. On Saturday, the 20th of September 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP held a campaign rally at the Tafawa Belewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island, Lagos state were supposed PDP supporters gathered to endorse President Jonathan and show their support for the PDP in the South West.

“It was with great surprise and amazement that we learned that the campaign rally was executed with unsuspecting and unemployed Nigerians who were being raised for training under the Federal Task Force, a program they claim is being organized by SURE-P and FERMA to create work for unemployed Nigerian Youths.

“The youths under the training program were compelled to attend the PDP and President Jonathans campaign rally with the promise that they will be given jobs and that those who did not attend will not be given any job at the end of the training. Thousands of these youths were transported from their camp in Badagry area and Ojota, all in Lagos State Nigeria.

“Those who watched or attended the campaign rally can confirm that thousands of youths were seen putting on white top and black trousers while many others were seen putting on a black top on a black trousers. Those in white top are the recent recruits under the Federal Task force while those in black top were recruited under FERCSARA.

“We have proven that the said youth constituted over 60% of the attendees at the rally and that these youths were being tricked to attend the said rally. We consider this activity as a total mockery and disrespect to the myriad of unemployed Nigeria youths.” It said.

The group who condemned the action however, urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP to stop the act.

“We shall continue to monitor the activities of the PDP led government and defend the Nigerian youths from being exploited and compelled to supporting a political party and presidential candidate against their will” the statement said.