A former Head of State retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has advised politicians that are 70 years and above to retire from politics and give way to younger ones for the progress of the country.
Abubakar gave this advice while speaking on Thursday at Arewa House Kaduna as chairman of the presentation and launching of the book, ” Yakowa: A Dream Differed.”
The former Head of State said if the old politicians feel they are still strong enough to lead the country, they should do so with the motive of safeguarding the peace of the country.
His words: “Politicians who consider themselves worthy to run for political offices should jealously continue to guard the peace of our country.
“I urge you to base your campaign on issue-based campaign. Politicians and their political parties hold the key to the creation of an environment that could foster peace, fair and credible elections and we will ask them to do the needful for the interest of, and well-being of this great country.”
Speaking on his role as a mentor to late Patrick Yakowa, Abdulsalami said, “as former head of state, who appointed late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa as Minister for Solid Minerals, I thought that it was late Patrick Yakowa that built the foundation of solid mineral resources upon which all that was accorded. Late Patrick Yakowa remained close confided even after my retirement.
“Since Yakowa left the federal government, and returned to Kaduna to serve in the state as secretary to the government, rising to be elected as deputy governor, and then, governor of Kaduna state, I have followed his track record with great interest. I am proud of his achievements. I bear witness to his commitment to peace, service, justice and truthful to the country,” he said.