By Idu Jude
Statesman and  leader of the People’s Democratic party, PDP Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has disagrees with the political statement and recommendation made by Former President  Rahim Babangida on the age limit suitable for the number one sit in Nigeria.Recall that former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, let out to the media during the last week activities recommending a suitable age limit for the presidential candidate, which he said should give the youth much opportunity to make meaningful contributions in the development of the country.

Babangida also opined that the office of the President deserve people with much energy to with stand the pressure of attending to the needs of over 200 million Nigerians.

According to Yakasai, while speaking to ThisNigeria via phone, Babangida’s opinion does not work in all climate even as age is not a determinant to intelect, leadership quality and experience.

His words, ” recently, the former President of America Barack Obama celebrated his 60th birthday and that is years after he left office as President of a country likewise there are countries presidents both serving and former who were above 60 years of age but did extremely well so it is all about the quality of the person elected to lead the country”.

” You see Iam not among of those who see age as a barrier to leadership. I red in newspapers where Atiku Abubakar, Tinubu and other where said to have been disqualified because of Babangida’s acertion but that is not the way to do it”.

The PDP stalwart posited that Nigeria should move with the time since things evolve. He said that people like Babangida where in office untill they stained the age of 60 before they left public service.

“All over the World, there were people who became President and prime Ministers of countries below 60 and it is also on record that others came in power at the age of 60 so as the world evolve, things change and you will also agree with me that everyone does not involve in politics the same time.

Some started their political career on time and at below age 60 while some began a little above 60 so the can you now say that between this two groups of people that that those who moved into politics late may not have the opportunity to make meaningful  contributions in Nation building?

Yakasai maintained that, “making meaningful contributions is about the personality on the sit. We have on record those who made good and quality leadership in this country and were above 60. So we should focus on the caliber of people chose to become our leaders not age limits”

Also speaking, former Honourable member, House of representatives, Honourable Paul Okwudili Ezeh, who represented Igbo/Uzo-Uwani LGA, stated that Babangida’s recommendation, can only be heeded to only if the Nigerian youths has found their political footings.

The way politics is played in this country today, the youths at least from the years Ibrahim Babangida was pointing,  Nigeria should becareful not to chose a man full of juvenile.

I know that the health of prospect is constitutionally concidered but experience also counts.

I would like you to check the political career of a 60 years old man in Nigeria and the experience required. So what matters is whether above 60 or below, the country must be really ready to play politics without sentiments. Politics beyond ethnicity or religion.

The way we are going no matter who is elected in there, sentiments, ethnicity political divide and all worth not will always rear it’s ugly head and the administration must fail. So it is not who is there, it is what does Nigerians want”