It’s no doubt, the entire human endeavors revolves around politics and governance, though, some individuals are yet to come to this term forgetting that it’s only government that gives or roll out plans and policies, which some time maybe anti masses.
It’s an undeniable fact that some of the activities of government lately have proven that both old and young, men and women must participate in politics not only as a card carrying member but major stakeholders that will determine who will rule us either at the national or state levels.
For the sake of this piece, I will narrow it down to the Nigerian Youths who have been clamouring for good governance and eradication of godfatherism in our polity.
Lately, Nigerian Youths have sent a very strong signal and message to those in government, most especially the old men that have been recycling themselves since the country got independence. Come to think of it, former President Olusegun Obasanjo became Head of State in 1976, twenty three years after, he became a civilian president.
Another reference, President Muhammadu Buhari became Head of State in 1983, and thirty two years after, he became a civilian president. Are we saying the country doesn’t have brave and knowledgeable youths that can lead this country? You can proffer answer to the question.
It’s quite evident that the larger percentage of Nigeria population is youth, yet, the old men are still ruling us and we are dogmatically following them even when we have both mental and physical acumen to hold sensitive positions in governance. Unfortunately, we allowed our immediate needs or the crumbs we get from them to control our reasoning and dictate our future. Are we not the one empowering them to be perpetually ruling us? Your answer is as good as mine.
The #EndSARS protest has given a good leverage for Nigerian Youths to take back their country and start planning on how to salvage the country from total collapse. No doubt, they have tried their best as we cannot rubbish all their legacies and policies because some are good while some are not.
Taking back the country require serious planning, and the planning starts from identifying the like-minds within the youths across the country, have a formidable platform, i.e political party, as it will be disastrous if at the end of this struggle, Nigerian Youths will have to return back to old orders (by allowing the old men to continue ruling).
No doubt, the ruling class have seen what we (youths) are up to in terms of strength and movement, and the only available means to break us is through divide and rule game which perhaps will have to do with the leadership, which should not be entertained if truly we want a total freedom.
Let our old men who have benefitted immensely from this country right from its inception take the advisory seat by bringing to bear their long term experiences to guide us where necessary.
The right time for Nigerian Youths to take their destiny in their hands is NOW!
Oluwaseyi Adeniyi, is a publisher and political analyst.
seyidotpeter999@gmail.com
