Investigation reveals that average Nigerian youth sits aloof while old generation politicians recycle themselves in elective offices.
Going by the provisions of the second Nigerian National Youth Policy (2009), “the youth shall comprise of all young males and females aged 18-35 years, who are citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Nigerian youths make up about 63% of the eligible voting population. Therefore, Nigerian youths constitute the majority of the voting population.
The Next Edition learnt that with a population of about 170 million, Nigeria has a voting population of 95.8 million. Of this figure, investigations also reveal that the youth voting population is about 60 million.
The question therefore arises: If youths are in the majority, how come most of them are uninterested? What could be responsible for their seeming lack of interest in politics? A survey carried out by The Next Edition indicates that some of the youths know nothing about politics. The few that know little about politics in the country are under the impression that their votes may not count, even as the “Not Too Young To Run” campaign gains more ground by the day.
An entrepreneur Tunde Makinde, 35 said, “When they say a youth who is 20 years old is qualified to run for state house of assembly for instance, where will he get the money to compete with someone who is 50 and has worked in several companies and amassed wealth over the years?” His observation is that a 20-year old in Nigeria is not ready to leave his parents houses talk less of vying for a political office.
The expectation is that if things are going to change for the better in terms of youth participation, then that mentality has to change. The Next Edition gathered that there are concerns over people who held public offices in the 1970’s and 80’s, who are still in public offices.
In 1975 for instance, President Muhammdu Buhari, then, a young military officer, at the age of 33 was appointed by General Murtala Mohammed as Governor of the North-Eastern State, to oversee social, economic and political improvements in the state. Buhari also briefly served as Governor of Borno state from 3 February, 1976 to 15 March, 1976. He later became Head of State from 31 December, 1983 to 27 August, 1985, after taking power in a military coup d’état. Not a few of the youths are stunned by the fact that he is still in active politics, having won a presidential election in 2015.
Similarly, at a youthful age of 32, General Yakubu Gowon became the Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975.
Audu Ogbeh, 71 who is the current Minister of Agriculture, was in 1982 appointed Federal Minister of Communications, and later became Minister of Steel Development at the age of 35. His term of office ended in December 1983 when a military coup brought then Major-General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
David Mark, 70 was President of the Senate of Nigeria from 2007 to 2015 and is the Senator for the Benue State. Prior to his election, Mark became the Military Governor of Niger State and the Minister of Communication in 1984. He was 36 then.
Former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang served as a Military Governor of Benue State from 1985 to 1986. He was 41 years old then. He also served as Military Governor of then Gongola State from 1986 to 1987. He is still active in politics at the age of 74. He is a senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District.
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With the recycling of these old breed politicians, the Nigerian youths have been substantially sidelined. Mr. Babatope Olajide, an educationist thinks that a decline in the standard of education could be responsible for the lack of political participation by the youth. According to him, “the reason why we had young leaders in 60’s 70’s and 80’s is because of the standard of education back then.”
He told The Next Edition that “lack of quality education is responsible for the youths of today being uninterested in politics. They hardly teach civic duties these days. That is why some citizens don’t know their right. How about history? Do they still teach history? There is lack of patriotism because subjects that would spark the minds of young men and women are not being taught.”
Namar Labar who is in her late 20’s is of the view that “I am not interested in politics and I don’t vote because my vote won’t count.” Asked why she thinks her vote won’t count, she said, “I know because I have been a polling officer before. I know what goes on behind the scenes.”
Thompson Adekunle said, “I am interested in politics not to contest but to vote. Problem is I don’t have PVC. The process of getting PVC is too stressful. Even though I am far from the place of collection/registration, I have travelled a number of times to get it to no avail. Yet, they assure me that it is ready.
“I have, however, tried to trace it online by using my temporary voters card number and will attempt to get it as soon as I have the chance. I only hope the location is accurate this time.”
A young lady who simply gave her name as Chioma, expressed, “I am 32 but not interested in politics because it is a dirty game in Nigeria. I have a PVC but I have no plan of voting in 2019. She is also under the impression that “politicians are all the same.”
For Chukwudi Okpara, “We live in a country where our opinions don’t count. I don’t like politics. The youths are just a tool in the hands of the elites. They use us to achieve their aims during election and abandon us afterwards.”
If the average Nigerian youths remain with this defeatist mindset, then there may be no hope anytime soon for the impact of young Nigerians to be felt in governance.