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Youth is best understood as a period of transition from the dependence of childhood to adulthood’s independence and awareness of our interdependence as members of a community. The UN, for statistical consistency across regions, defines ‘youth’, as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years. The arguments on the need to have Nigerian youths as leaders in modern government seem to be endless because the present dispensation of leaders are not ready to leave the stage for the young ones. Till date, it has been a story of godfatherism – where some political figures are major influences and decision makers of the system. Their efforts have either made or mar the system for self-desirable purposes, thereby leaving the system worse than they met it. As Nigeria edges towards 2019, here is a look at some instances of how Nigerian so-called godfathers seem to have lost relevance and why Nigerian youths should take over grass-root politics.
Bola Tinubu/South West: Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos state and the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, cannot be dragged behind in Nigerian politics. He is the quintessential political strategist. But as powerful as he is, it seems the game no longer plays in his favour. This can be seen in Kogi and Ondo elections. His candidate for Kogi Governorship seat, Adeleke did not make it thorugh. Also at the just concluded Ondo elections, his earlier-anointed candidate for the Guber seat, Abraham didn't make it through at the primaries. Tinubu was out-smarted – Ondo politicians felt he cannot govern their state for them. Tinubu then pitched tent with AD Candidate, Olusola Oke for the Guber polls.
Also, Tinubu's used-to-be errand boys and Governors , Kayode Fayemi and Babatunde Fashola have ceased to be after being snapped up by Ministerial appointments. All these show that the political empire of the National LeaderBola Tinubu is crumbling before his own eyes.
PDP Sacked Guys: The sack of prominent figures in the Peoples Democratic Party signify the irrelevance of the oldies in the party even with the deepening crisis. The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has just suspended a former Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore for engaging in anti-party activities. In the same vein, the Ogun State chapter of the party also suspended Sen. Buruji Kashamu, senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and six others over allegations of financial improprieties and anti-party activities.
Rabiu Kwankwaso and Abdulai Ganduje: Unlike the western part of Nigeria, King makers and/or godfatherism is peculiar to the North. A good instruction of King maker politics which has turned soar can be cited in the case of Governor of Kani Abdulai Ganduje and his predecessor, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Ahead of 2016, Governor Ganduje believed that the former Governor can not used the state apparatus which he established against the federal might. This has caused rancor against the Governor and his kingmakers.
Governor Willie Obiano & Peter Obi: For political office holders, especially Governors to succeed, little or no interference from King makers will allow incumbent administration to focus and work without external influence. In the case of Willie Obiano of Anambra state, the governor has been performing beyond expectation after his grudges with the former state governor, Peter Obi who happened to be his King maker.
#NotTooYoungToRule: The #NotTooYoungToRule bill seeks to reduce the qualification into the office of President from ages 40 to 30 years, office of Governor from 35 to 30 years, the Senate and Governorship from 35 to 30 years, and the federal and state houses of assembly from 30 to 25 years.
Over the years, some Nigerian youths have been used by politicians as thugs who go after ballot boxes during elections. The resultant effect is a situation where the youths continue to wait for 'godot' while the oldies occupy leadership positions until death.
The introduction of NotTooYoungToRule is also another justification that Nigerian youths have had enough of the godfathers and reflects that teeming youths will participate in rural politics.
But, really are the young ready to take up leadership positions?
Bola Tinubu/South West: Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos state and the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, cannot be dragged behind in Nigerian politics. He is the quintessential political strategist. But as powerful as he is, it seems the game no longer plays in his favour. This can be seen in Kogi and Ondo elections. His candidate for Kogi Governorship seat, Adeleke did not make it thorugh. Also at the just concluded Ondo elections, his earlier-anointed candidate for the Guber seat, Abraham didn't make it through at the primaries. Tinubu was out-smarted – Ondo politicians felt he cannot govern their state for them. Tinubu then pitched tent with AD Candidate, Olusola Oke for the Guber polls.
Also, Tinubu's used-to-be errand boys and Governors , Kayode Fayemi and Babatunde Fashola have ceased to be after being snapped up by Ministerial appointments. All these show that the political empire of the National LeaderBola Tinubu is crumbling before his own eyes.
PDP Sacked Guys: The sack of prominent figures in the Peoples Democratic Party signify the irrelevance of the oldies in the party even with the deepening crisis. The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has just suspended a former Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore for engaging in anti-party activities. In the same vein, the Ogun State chapter of the party also suspended Sen. Buruji Kashamu, senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and six others over allegations of financial improprieties and anti-party activities.
Rabiu Kwankwaso and Abdulai Ganduje: Unlike the western part of Nigeria, King makers and/or godfatherism is peculiar to the North. A good instruction of King maker politics which has turned soar can be cited in the case of Governor of Kani Abdulai Ganduje and his predecessor, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Ahead of 2016, Governor Ganduje believed that the former Governor can not used the state apparatus which he established against the federal might. This has caused rancor against the Governor and his kingmakers.
Governor Willie Obiano & Peter Obi: For political office holders, especially Governors to succeed, little or no interference from King makers will allow incumbent administration to focus and work without external influence. In the case of Willie Obiano of Anambra state, the governor has been performing beyond expectation after his grudges with the former state governor, Peter Obi who happened to be his King maker.
#NotTooYoungToRule: The #NotTooYoungToRule bill seeks to reduce the qualification into the office of President from ages 40 to 30 years, office of Governor from 35 to 30 years, the Senate and Governorship from 35 to 30 years, and the federal and state houses of assembly from 30 to 25 years.
Over the years, some Nigerian youths have been used by politicians as thugs who go after ballot boxes during elections. The resultant effect is a situation where the youths continue to wait for 'godot' while the oldies occupy leadership positions until death.
The introduction of NotTooYoungToRule is also another justification that Nigerian youths have had enough of the godfathers and reflects that teeming youths will participate in rural politics.
But, really are the young ready to take up leadership positions?
