The Nigerian youth group has been living in the illusion of ignorance and unending innuendos which has turned us into begging idols for leadership roles instead of assuming our place as indeed the leaders of tomorrow.
With the latest development in the purported disqualification of the Kogi SDP candidate as a result of a so-called constitutional barrier which has inflicted a semblance of political slavery, it is about time we looked into history and challenge the establishment, the machiavellian and authoritarian system of leadership since our independence.
The establishment has locked down the growth of this nation for a selfish – “few” according to section 187 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended thereby clamping down on the true ideology of leadership without borders.
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The Nigerian youth must stand up against tyrannical rule which is being aided by the constitution. This is time to wake up. The not too young to run bill so far has been greeted with so much concern about its intended purpose because that bill is a misnomer in its entirety. We can’t beg for what is our fundamental right. “Freedom is not given, it’s taken – Subhas Chandra Bose.
Leadership has no barrier and should never be limited to certain age. Leadership is responsibility and service.
Today, the Nigerian Government has systematically degraded the potentials of young leaders while the emerging world is seeking young leaders. Greta Thunberg is only 15 yet she has proven to be a proactive Climate Activist. Malala Yousafzai proved to be a leader and a crusader of girl education yet she is only 22. Kim Jong Un of North Korea is only but 34 and today he has proven to be an effective President of his country.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president is only but 39, Jacinda Ardern is from NZ and she’s 38, Saleh Ali al-Sammad is the president of the Supreme Political Council of Yemen and he is 38.
Vanessa D’Ambrosio is the Captain Regent of San Marino at 29. While she is not technically a president, she holds the highest honor in San Marino and she’s the second woman in the history of San Marino to have this prestigious title.
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the current Emir of Qatar. He is 36 and he does a very good job at ruling the country very effectively to mention but these few.
In Nigeria, Matthew Tawo Mbu was appointed minister of labour in 1954 at age 25. At age 26, he was appointed High Commissioner to UK from 1955 to 1959.
At 32, Yakubu Gowon was Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975. At age 34, Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Buhari as the Federal Commissioner (position now called Minister) for Petroleum and Natural Resources.
Sadly our today Nigeria is being chaired by these same person who were not bound by their age when the led this country in one capacity or the other.
The present Nigerian constitution is not designed to fit purpose of democratic norms. It is a conditional based literature which is applied on sentiments and tailored purpose to support an agenda of a certain class.
INEC’s moves to disqualify any young Nigerian latching on section 178 of the constitution is not only a conspiracy, but also an open admission of the adamant ‘few’ elites who have held Nigeria as their political hostage and are not ready to let go.
The constitution should not define the ripe age of leadership because leaders are born while rulers are made. Today we are all quiet because we are not directly impacted. Natasha Akpoti’s vs INEC saga should raise serious concerns of worries for every young Nigerian.
Evil indeed thrives when good looks the other way. We can’t continue in this way and expect a new Nigeria. Our young people get carried away with social engagement such as big brother, bet9ja and many of it’s likes while we are systematically being sidelined by nepotism.
To fix this country, we must rise above the mediocrity of blind following and praise-singing for selfish gains.
The future if we must fix it, is NOW!
– Austeen Anibe Otene
Rights and Equality /Climate Change Activist