Why the Nigerian youth must wake up
By Auwal Gombe
The present reality of politics in Nigeria indubitably the aged dictatorial politicians owns the keys to policy, decision making and implementation in this country.
“The Youths are the leaders of tomorrow” contradicts the leadership monopoly practised by aged politicians because the Nigerian Government of present is led by those who have continued to sideline the youth in the political and economic climate of the country. Leadership is portrayed as the right of the elderly in Nigeria, irrespective of societal changes since independence.
The Aged politicians in a present day Nigeria have made participation and representation unavailable and inaccessible to Nigerian youth with policies such as;
- money politics
- vote buying
- too much money to buy nomination form.
These makes it unaccessible to Nigerian Youths.
Taking a survey of youth representation in politics, the political leaders in present-day Nigeria are above 50 years of age. About 80% of the population of our political leaders are not youth because these same set of political leaders are recycled. Some are still in power since 1999 till date.
Do we really want to develop?
Now, the question “Is the youth of Nigeria under a siege?”
The characteristics of leadership are experience, knowledge and legitimacy for the growth and development of the nation. Early leaders in the post-independence era were not aged, but youth driven by patriotism in their agitation for good governance at that particular time.
The current leadership has eroded youthful participation and representation in modern-day politics with financial hindrance to contesting elections.
The cost of election is too much because of the money politics practised by elites. The financial ability to run for an election has made the opportunity to hold political offices a mirage. Injustice and maladministration have permeated society; thus, the youth is described as “all bark but no bite”.
The country’s economy has been left in the hands of political hyenas who are busy looting the public fund
If this is not the case, How do you justify uncontrolled and incessant killings and kidnappings that are rampant in Northern part, and Nigeria at Large.
What is the rationale for the increased level of insecurity citizens suffer under this administration.
This situation is a wake-up call for Nigerian youth to harness their population to demand change with an inclusion of young minds in the nation’s political system.
The Nigerian youth population must present themselves as a force to change in the 2023 election by their political activism by raising candidates with people-driven representation and uncompromised for good governance.
This political overhaul of gerontocrats will not be without resistance or barriers ranging from oppression, however, the youth-led representation must be resilient in demanding a change of government with their vote and active participation in the 2023 election.
That singular act shows the youth can take over; thus, this has kept them on their toes and given these political elites the consciousness that they will be unseated, if the youths are determined to do so. The youth have been disenfranchised indirectly from active political participation and pursuance of leadership positions.
The leaders are quite aware of the challenges constraining the youth’s active political participation. For Nigerian youths to have a chance to participate in political affairs, they must have the financial backbone to contest for the ‘money politics’ run in Nigeria and do the massive campaign for youths to vote for Youth.
With the slogans ” Youth For Youth”
I think with these Nigerian Youths will change the situation in Nigerian political system.
May God bring peace in our dear Nation and God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Auwal writes from Gombe State, North-East, Nigeria.
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