Jonathan rules out VP Sambo as successor, says next president must be below 60

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday tacitly ruled out having Vice President Namadi Sambo as his successor, saying the next Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president must be below 60 years of age.

Addressing a large crowd at the Lafia Township stadium during his presidential campaign tour to Nasarawa State, Mr. Jonathan said his administration believes in the youth and will do everything possible to support the younger generation.

“Obasanjo was president at 70, Yar’Adua at 60 and me close to 60 so the next president must be younger than me,” Mr. Jonathan said.

Vice president Namadi Sambo is already 60 years old.

If Mr. Jonathan wins re-election on February 14 and leaves office in 2019, his remarks means he would not support Mr. Sambo to succeed him as the vice president would have turned 64.

Mr. Jonathan said the PDP administration will invest in the younger generation and ensure that a space is made available for them in the future.

He explained that his administration has taken keen interest in educational development which is a yardstick for developing the younger generation.

He laid emphasis on youth empowerment which he said will be cardinal principle of his government if re-elected.

President Jonathan said the Doma Dam in Doma Local Government Area of the state will be completed to pave way for agricultural development that will create development for the youth.

The president also debunked insinuations that he was behind the candidature of Labaran Maku former minister of Information as gubernatorial candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nasarawa state.

He added that the PDP administration will work to integrate Nasarawa within the Federal Capital Territory in the next 25 years.

Earlier, the National chairman of the PDP, Ahmadu Muazu, reiterated the party’s concern for the next generation and promised that the party will continue with policies that will develop the youth.