Date: 2012-03-05

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje at the weekend in Ilorin said the party will give 15 percent of the national positions to youths to enable them contribute their own quota to the development of the country, just as he called on the opposition parties to join hands with the ruling party in moving the country forward.

Baraje, who made the disclosure while answering questions from newsmen shortly after observing the conduct of the ward congresses carried out in Baboko centre, among other wards in the state, also noted that all elections should be conducted in a peaceful manner in the spirit of politics without bitterness.
According to him, "the youths and women cover some percentage of the nation’s population, hence the need to incorporate them into the nation’s scheme of things."

He said the peaceful conduct of the elections in the all parts of the state showed the quality of leadership in the state, adding that other states of the federation should emulate Kwara State example by conducting their elections peacefully. He explained that the party had resolved to continue to lay good example in the country for other parties to follow.

Baraje assured the people of his constituency of his intention not to overstay in office, noting that as soon as a substantive chairman was elected he would vacate the office. He commended the outgoing executives of the wards for their commitment to the development of the party, noting that those coming in should add to the good job that was done by their predecessors.

He also urged all members to continue to contribute their quota to the development of the party and the state in general. He advised the youths to shun any act capable of tarnishing their image, adding that their participation in politics should not be at the detriment of their education .

The acting chairman urged them to take their education seriously so that when elected into offices they would be able to grow to the highest position. He assured the national observers that the party in Kwara State would countinue to remain peacefull and committed to the development of internal democracy that would further expand it for better development at all levels.