The Executives of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] Youth wing have vowed not to support any candidate that is over 60 years for the 2011 presidency in the party.

At the end of a meeting of PDP zonal and state youth leaders, the youths observed that leaders of most advanced countries are below 60 years and Nigeria must not be left out of the trend.

Forty three leaders from the thirty six states and the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] attended the meeting which also resolved that aspirants beyond sixty years should step down and allow generational change in the country. They said

"discussed and assessed the state of the nation and the quality of aspirants to the exalted offices of state governors and presidential seats."

In a communique signed by over 50 delegates from across the 36 states of the federation, and made available to newsmen, they said "the youth body (of the PDP) hereby declares its readiness to mobilise the entire youth of the country to ensure strict adherence to this communique."

According to the communique, the modern Nigeria is for the young generation; and the decision was taken based on the following premises: "President Obama of USA became president at the age of 46 in 2008 and is 48 years today. David Cameron of Great Britain is 43 as its Prime Minister. Dimitri Medvedev, Russian President attained this height at 43 in 2008 and now 45. Canadian Prime Minister was 47 years in 2006 on coming to power. Louis Zapataro, Prime Minister of Spain won election at 44 in 2006 and now 48. Jose Socrates of Portugal also became its Prime Minister at 48.

"Nigeria as a country, we believe, must move with this current trend in the world," the youth stated.

The body also condemned the continued dominant participation of "aspirants who should be statesmen and who are expected to guide the nation and provide direction to our emerging younger generation of leaders," reiterating, "youth shall not encourage or support candidates that are over 60 years of age for the exalted office of the president."

The youth appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Electoral Act amendment, and called on the National Working Committee, the members of the Board of Trustees of the PDP and all Nigerians to be vigilant in deciding who rules this country.