The All Progressives Congress (APC) has indicated a preference for younger candidates with a technocrat-like background for the 2015 elections.
According to a source in the newly formed mega party, the APC will consider the options of former Federal Capital Territory minister, Nasir el-Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman.
The source said,
“We are working on a plan B. If Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) does not contest, the party will shift attention to younger candidates.
“Our search will be extended to non-politicians, including young technocrats from the North. El-Rufai and Ribadu will be among the pool of candidates who will be screened.”
However the Arewa Youth Forum has indicated that support for the duo would not be automatic, as both Ribadu and el-Rufai were far from the grassroots.
Yerima Shettima, President of the AYF said, “the two have a lot of work to do because they are not in touch with the reality in the North. Neither Ribadu nor el-Rufai is in touch with the youth in the northern part of the country.
“They live all their lives in the capitalist world; they are not in touch with the reality of things. It’ll take them a lot of time to build the confidence of the youth in the northern part of the country.
“Neither el-Rufai nor Ribadu has done anything meaningful to the well-being of northern youth. As far as I am concerned, they are not popular. They are only known at the national level by the elite and they make their contributions within the confinement of the elitist setting.
“When it comes to the grass roots level, coupled with the situation of northern youths, I don’t think they have much to say. It is a process; I will not conclude that they won’t have the support of northern youth but they need a lot of work; they need to face the realities on the ground,” Shettma added.