2023: FATE OF THE YOUTHS

2023: FATE OF THE YOUTHS

Izuchukwu Divine

The 2023 general election is fast approaching. Nigerians are looking forward to a day so special to everyone. A day that determines the next four years of political leadership in the country, and it's effects, positively or negatively will solely depend on the electorate to vote into power people whose conscience are healthy for humanity and otherwise.

Many active political key players, upcoming and those who are in different sectors of Nigeria economy and beyond, who also have political ambition are getting ready for the "big battle" in 2023.

Also, many offices of political leadership in the country at the three tiers of Government has began running underground political campaign and putting on certain strategies that would draw the masses attention to themselves. Some has turned to good samaritan, executing projects, all in the name of winning 2023 elections.

However, the big questions are; WHAT IS THE FATE OF THE YOUTHS?

WILL THE AGED POLITICIANS GIVE ROOM FOR YOUTHS TO TAKE OVER? ARE THE YOUTHS INTERESTED IN RUNNING?, ARE THEY READY TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS AND ACTION TO TAKE OVER?

The Post-Colonial environment gave rise to young people in military uniform taking over government through a series of coup. These post-colonial coup beneficiaries were mostly under 40, they included; Aguiyi Ironsi(42), Yakubu Gowon(31), Muritala Muhammed(37), and Olusegun Obasanjo(38).

According to National youth policy of 2009, defines the youth as those between the ages of 18 and 35 years, so also said by Common Wealth, ECOWAS and other international bodies.

From 1999, when Nigeria changed from Military regime to Civilian administration, it's obvious the Youths has not been carried along in the governance of the country. Some of the reasons are poor economy/poverty, uninterested spirit amongst youths, due to bribery and corruption, inability to meet up with the constitutional requirement to contest for public office amongst other factors.

Meanwhile, there has been little progress and inclusiveness of youths in the politics of Nigeria. The president, Major General Muhammad Buhari(Rtd.) had on 31st May, 2018, signed the "Not Too Young Bill" into law.The bill which was sponsored by Hon.Tony Nwulu in the House of Representatives and Senator Abdulazeez Nyako in the senate, sought to reduce the age limits for running for elective offices in Nigeria. The alteration was made from section 65,106,131 and 177 of the Nigeria 1999 Constitution, reducing the age of running for House of Assembly and House of Representatives from 30 years old to 25 years old, Senate and Governorship from 35 years old to 30 years old and office of the president from 40 to 30 and independent candidature in Nigeria.

The outcome of the passage of the bill into law witnessed many youths showing interest in running for one political office or the other in the 2019 general elections. In the presidential race, many young Nigerians vied, amongst them was Fela Durotoye and Omoyele Sowore, so also in other elective positions.

The leadership entrusted on the aged has failed, hence the need for the young minds to take over.

According to Chief Obafemi Awololo, "the influence which a nation exerts, the respect which it enjoys and the prestige accorded to it on the World scene, depend on two facts; the size of it's wealth and the calibre of it's leadership".

The Challenges Nigeria is facing is a product of bad leadership, from corruption, to insecurity, economic quagmire, amongst other vices.

Over the years, political godfatherism has taken the roots of politics in Nigeria. In the system, the aged politicians manipulates the leadership of someone they have helped and assisted to win elections.The person averts to doing the will of his master, his godfather than the supposed will of the masses which depicts true democratic system.

The question still remains, ARE THE YOUTHS READY TO TAKE OVER?

From the state of things in the Country, many youths are clamouring for a change of leadership. Youths are becoming united in the fight for a true democracy, the evidence is seen in several national protest amongst youths with placards of different description.

The 2020 "EndSars" protest witnessed a large turn out of youths nationwide asking for a put to stop of bad leadership. The democracy day protest, all indicating the readiness of youths to remain active on issues of governance in Nigeria. The political consciousness amongst youths has risen to all time high.

In otherwords, Factors that has hindered Nigerian youths politically could be failed electoral system where election results can be manipulated in favour of a political godson or the rulling party, all because of money. The court and judges decides who rules which is against the true meaning of democracy, the people's votes no more count and that has made many to develop aparthy during elections, giving way to incompetent personality occupying an important post in the country.

Lack of strong party structure at the grassroot, failure to collapse into a one single platform and rally for a particular youth candidate, weak financial muscle, godfatherism, hike in party nomination forms especially the major political parties in Nigeria which signals that you must be bouyant financially to go into politics, and looking at the economic condition of the country, it's a NO for any struggling youth that has the ambition but the youths must shoot their shots.

In conclusion, 2023 will have many youths show interest for elective public position and it will be a sure bet if the youths collapse in a structure. It could be Young Progressive Party(YPP) or any political party for a huge success.

Izuchukwu Divine