former Chief of Army Staff and present Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, (rtd.) says the All Progressives Congress is the party to beat in the forthcoming general elections.

The ex- (COAS) said, “You must mobilise the electorate to ensure that they come out en mass to vote for the right candidate and I believe you know who I am referring to.

“The APC with the good support of the youth is the party to beat.

Buratai made the statement at the Progressives Young Leaders Summit of the APC in Abuja on Monday. He also advised youths to be actively involved in the development process of the country.

“Our great founding fathers of blessed memory, including Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo were in their primes as youths when they took the mantle of leadership of the country.

“The youths of today could do same if they are determined.”

Also speaking at the event, retired Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique, the former Chief of Air Staff, said youths cannot not afford to take the back seat in the 2023 general election.

“The benefits are beyond politics because it will help in drawing the attention of youths to the challenges of our time.

“It will also help in making them realise that they have an important role to play in defining the character of our society today.

“Youths constitute about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population and therefore they cannot sit behind and allow others to determine what is going to happen.”