In August 2017, i wrote about the passage of the #nottooyoungtorule bill by the National Assembly and also the support of former President Obasanjo for youth involvement in politics. Recently a coalition has just been formed under the auspices of the recent statements by the former president about the incompetences of the ruling APC government of Nigeria and also faulty opposition in the PDP. And when you look at the founding members of the coalition, for example, Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Donald Duke, and also Olusegun Mimiko; you will see that this is no group of young people but group of same old usurpers except maybe Donald Duke.
Frankly, not many young Nigerians can afford to contest a gubernatorial election in Nigeria save the children of the politicians? Looking at the humongous financial extractions of political processes in the country, it is very expensive to aspire to any political office. It does mean that it is only the politicians and the sons and daughters of politicians that reserve the financial muscle to contest for elective posts in the country with the looted funds by their fathers.
In my August post, I implored Nigeria youths to halt their jubilation about the passage of the 'not-too-young-to-run' bill at the moment. That there is work to do.
Dear Steemians and young men and women of our country, one sure thing we have intact is our voter’s right, and it is our responsibility to use it to our own advantage. The elites always have their grand schemes but it is the voting power of the people that mostly power their ambition. The good news is that we can use and withdraw that power as we so desire. And as a community where we have talented writers, it will be a good forum for us to write about our support for youthful participation and responsible leadership in politics.
Our millions of votes is (really) the key to the doors of political offices for a few. Why can’t we then use it, going forward to sack these self-serving and people-deceiving politicians from our polity? We should use the power of our voting population to install a new order and a new age leadership that is separate and unconnected with all these polluters of our country, Nigeria.
We need to support young Nigerians that are credible, competent and in our own class, not in the class of the elites, not in the class of their sons, not in the class of their daughters, not in the class of their families. This is not to say that there are no eligible young men and women in the clan and family of our politicians. But because they are from such inherited principalities that have altogether failed this country, they cannot be trusted. Looking at where Nigeria has found herself, looking at how Nigeria has fared in the hands of our politicians, it will be precarious for us as a people to continue to support or aid their children to power with our votes any more.
As young revolutionary men and women desirous of a true change in our country, we must come to the understanding that we must support aspiring youths from our own class, people who are competent but not necessarily in the circle of our politicians. What we are creating must be created around the people and not around any singular sponsor or godfather. Our agenda must be involved in the popular will of the people, something that will give power back to the people.
When you see youths contesting elective posts in your various states and at the federal level, try and find out about them; ask questions to ascertain their stand and sincerity of purpose, once you have ascertained their commitment then you should give them our unflinching support. This is not the time for partisan support but an era of true and accountable representation.
Don’t say you will not support a young person contesting for an elective post because you are not sure of their pedigree and commitment when you have not made an attempt to find out about them. The sons and candidates of your glorified politicians have even less qualification and preparedness for office and yet you would be carrying their campaign placards all around for a paltry 5000 Naira that cannot last you two days. And that’s all you would get from him until the next election.
We need to support young men and women in our own class contesting in the coming elections. When we support them and we are able to vote in such people into power in the face of the tyranny of our current leaders then it will send a signal that power truly belongs to the people and we will see that our leaders will start becoming responsible.
We cannot continue like this. We cannot continue to serve a few men who are feeding fat on our commonwealth while giving us crumbs or nothing and making us to drink from waters they have muddled with their feet.
It is time for us to make our voice known and we can only do that through our votes. The knowledge we have is nothing if we do not act it. We must not learn only to know but learn to do. Get your permanent voters card and get set to vote so that a new Nigeria can be borne.
Youth revolution in Nigeria, it is time for us to take our stand!
You can read my full August article here