As the next election approaches, the politicians are beginning to put things in place to ensure that their interests are articulated. Hence, most of them are beginning to get closer to the masses than before. Some are demonstrating philanthropic gestures to get the approval of the people. On the other hand, some are preparing their sword to annihilate opponents to win the election by all means possible.
It's well-known that elections in Nigeria usually take precedent from other elections, all the gimmicks, and political gerrymandering are not different yet people are not used to it. It's high time the citizens started to understand that most of these politicians are certainly fighting for their interests and that of their families.
The most disappointing part of this issue is that after the election, they are not answerable to the people any longer and you hardly find them associating with the people. This simply means that they understand the importance of the people in getting what they want, they know that without us it's impossible to get what they want. If this is the case, do the people truly know how indispensable they are? I don't think so.
There are ways this narrative can be changed if we want to elect good and accountable leaders that will bring to the people the benefit of leadership. One of the ways is for the youth to be actively involved in politics.
There have been lots of publications and articles about the youth participating in politics yet the result has not been seen instead of the positive outcomes, they seem to be relegated to the background while some of them are used as sycophants to these politicians. Especially when they are appointed to certain positions in government. These to some extent, justify the thought that the poverty level in the country has made it possible for the politicians to always have their ways. A popular politician and a former Governor of a state in the south once said that "what money cannot do, more money can do it." This is what they use in making their way through.
It will be incredibly awful if the youth of this country do not rise and take the bull by the horn. There are things they can do differently and achieve the goal of getting a better nation-state where things will work out well, where jobs will be available for graduates, where the issues of insecurity and wanton loss of lives will be curtailed. And a state where the living standards of people will be elevated. A state where quality education and health care system will matter most to the government than traveling overseas for medical treatments and education. A state with a good road network and quality infrastructure for technological and scientific advancement, A state where the future of unborn children is secured. It's so uncivilized for a country of over 160 million people who are still living in darkness with no steady power supply and the poverty level of the people is on the increase daily yet no leader is humane enough to see how these issues can be addressed and all they care about is to remain in power till they die.
These do not in any way speak well of the country. We cannot continue like this and then expects different results. The only opportunity is to make use of this upcoming election and prove to the world that the strength and power of the government belong to the people.
Many people are not aware of this reality, so whenever these politicians come around with insignificant gifts they think that they are doing them a favor, so they accept the half bread instead of knowing that the full bread belongs to them and they can get it all. In this case, the people need to be enlightened and be informed about their rights and what they stand to enjoy when they have the right people in power.
Another is the use of social media. All social media platforms should be employed effectively to achieve this goal. This is possible if we put the same pressure we did during the #endsars protest, then can achieve this feat. All through social media, the message of good governance should be a hashtag as well as a consensus candidate.
Handbills and fliers should be used expeditiously, this can be shared with the people in villages and during the process educate them on the things they need to know about government. These too can be accompanied by giving out gifts to them as well. These fliers should be shared everywhere including schools, churches, hospitals, and all public places to create consciousness in people.
Symposiums and public lectures should be organized at the ward levels to also educate the masses.
Nigerian youth can come up with a choice of who should rule over them. This should not be older than 45 years in age. Then the whole country can contribute a certain amount of money to sponsor his election and campaigns. This will create a consciousness in the heart of those people that they are been sent by the people and their actions will be guided.
A better way of fighting corruption is not by jailing offenders rather by having the right people in the right place.
It's not enough to wish to have younger people in power, we must be intentional about it and accept to pay the price for it. Nigeria can be better off than this. All of us must play a role.
We can storm all the zones of the country with much alacrity. This the whole world will know that it's time for the youth to show their power and strength strategically.
Thank you.