Although the United Nations defines youth as a person between the age of 15-24, the Peoples Democratic Party has changed the convention as the recently elected National Youth Leader of the party Malam Umar Garba Chiza is 60 years old.
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Although the United Nations defines youth as a person between the age of 15-24, the Peoples Democratic Party has changed the convention as the recently elected National Youth Leader of the party Malam Umar Garba Chiza is 60 years old.
The choice of Chiza as a youth leader is generating resentment among some youths in the party which claims to be the largest party in Africa. Most Nigerians believe that the PDP is a terribly dirty political party whom they largely blame for destroying Nigeria's economy and fostering corruption.
A top member of the PDP confirmed to SaharaReporters that Chiza is 60 or may even be above 60. “It is such a shame that a 60-year old man and may be a grandfather is the National Youth Leader of the PDP. He is from Niger State, and his godfather is Governor Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu of the Niger State."
Other young candidates from the North-Central States in their 30s and early 40s, the source added, had wanted the position, but the top echelons of the party especially with the backing of Governor Aliyu made it exclusively possible for the 60 year old man to emerge as the youth leader.
“With this development, I wonder the kind of democracy we are building, the new chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is about 80, not 77," he said.
"The offices were just shared, President Jonathan and Obasanjo brought in Bamanga Tukur and Mrs. Kema Chikwe. National Legal Adviser, Barr. Victor Pam was backed by Solomon Lar, Governor Rotimi Amaechi is the god-father of Dr Sam Sam Jaja, Deputy National Chairman. Vice President Namadi Sambo brought in Abubakar Mustapha as National Organizing Secretary. This shame and we are groaning and will soon make our views heard.”
The now 60 year old National Youth Leader had brtagged about his age in a 2008 newspaper interview, then he was claimed he was 57 years old.
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