Igbo politicians in Northern Nigeria, under the auspices of South-East Assembly of Politicians in the North, today in Kaduna strongly appealed to Nigerian voters to elect young and energetic people into elective offices, saying the country does not need people like old ‘Robert Mugabe’ in its governmental affairs.

The coalition added that a close study of most world leaders making history in their countries were between 45 to 60 years of age, quickly adding that President Goodluck Jonathan and his running mate, Vice President Namadi Sambo, as well as Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, and his deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga, should be given another chance to consolidate on what they have started.

Addressing journalists at the secretariat of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kaduna, Coordinator of the coalition, Chief Frank Okonkwo, said though an old man may be a genius, energy is needed to carry out governmental tasks.

He urged intending voters to make use of two weeks extension given by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to get their Permanent Voters’ Cards ahead of March 28 and April 11 elections.

According to him, “We do not, and I repeat, we do not need a Robert Mugabe in Nigeria. Most world leaders making remarkable history in their countries are between 45 to 65 years. So, we want our youth to shine their eyes and vote for President Jonathan and Governor Yero in these elections.

“We believe in good governance as the only panacea for our future generation. We support Jonathan as a Nigerian not as Igbo. We supported Yar’Adua as a Nigerian not as Igbo. We supported Obasanjo as a Nigerian not as Igbo. So, this government has done well and dim it fit to support it because it’s capable of protecting our lives, property and businesses.

“We have come because we believe in the Nigerian project, that a better and peaceful Nigeria will guarantee the hope and aspiration for all of us.

“No threat or intimidation will deny us our voting right, we therefore encourage all Igbos in the North to see two weeks extension for the collection of PVCs as an opportunity to ensure that we get our cards ready to vote.”

•Photo shows President Jonathan and Sambo, who are favoured by the coalition.