An influential coalition of young Nigerians, the Young Professionals For Progress, has called on Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, a presidential candidate on the platform of the Labour Party and immediate past Governor of Ondo State, to “step away from the ongoing unproductive drama” in the Labour Party and lead the movement towards victory in the 2019 general elections.
This was contained in a statement published on the group’s Facebook page, co-signed by Brian Dennis, the President of the young professionals; Ephraim Adiele, the National Spokesperson; and Boma Williams, the Director of Grassroots Mobilisation.
The group said it was forced to make this call because it has a strong belief that the strife between Ayuba Wabba, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, and Labour Party leaders is being fueled by a former national president of the NLC.
“We, the Young Professionals For Progress (YPP), a coalition of 23 groups of young Nigerian professionals hereby call on our mentor and leader, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to step away from the on-going unproductive drama between president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba and the leadership of the Labour Party, LP, so we, can all focus on the task of ushering Nigeria into a new dawn,” the group said in the statement.
The coalition, which said it has a documented 50,000 grassroots membership, revealed that many of them were inspired to join active politics after they had witnessed the remarkable leadership and performance of Dr. Mimiko as Governor of Ondo State.
The group wrote: “Young Professionals for Progress, YPP, consists of zealous young Nigerians, hoping to actualize the dream of a peaceful, working Nigeria.
“Many members of YPP had little or no interest and experience in active politics, but inspired by the exemplary performance of Dr. Mimiko during his two terms as governor of Ondo State, we have made the decision to become open and vocal vessels for the positive transformation of our dear country.
“With a track record of visible projects which have had lasting impact on the masses, with emphasis on universal healthcare, education, poverty alleviation and youth empowerment, most members of YPP were inspired to take a stand and come out publicly for the first time and lend our voices to issues concerning politics and governance.
“One thing we have valued over time is your ability to make the best of every situation, produce quality results without losing focus of the goal – which is service to the masses.”
The coalition condemned, in strong terms, the battle for the control of the Labour Party by Wabba, calling it a distraction.
It said: “It was then with dismay and disgust that we received reports of resistance against your candidacy from Ayuba Wabba, one of the most ineffectual labour leaders Nigeria has ever had, – an unnecessary distraction towards this march towards lasting peace and progress.
“In our opinion, we feel the current bickering between the Labour Party and the NLC president, Wabba comes at an inopportune time and will only detract and distract us from the enormous job of edging out the old, ineffective guard of leaders who have done way more harm than good for the people of Nigeria.
“The resistance from the Wabba is not surprising as we have it on good grounds that a certain former NLC President who is at the helm of affairs at one of the country’s major political parties, is strongly championing the disruptive moves by his minion(s) to stop Dr Mimiko from his victorious march to Aso Rock. This is also not shocking as the said former labour leader sees you as a major threat to his party.”