YOUTH EXEMPTION IN NIGERIA’S POLITICS AND HOW TO INTEGRATE THEM IN THE POLITICAL SPHERE

Introduction......

Youths in Western Countries of the world through immense participation in political and democratic processes, have exhibited persistent determination to elect preferred politicians into various arms of government. This group of individuals have remained the key components not just in electing political office holders, but also in producing National leaders below the age of 40 years. The likes of Sebastian Kurz of Austria and Enrico Caratonni of San Marino, were elected as Presidents in October 2017 at 31 and 32 years respectively. However, the scenario in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, is at variance with happenings in other democratic parts of the world.

Youths in African Countries are yet to wake up from their deep slumber. Very few youths in Africa are active in political and democratic processes and this has to a large extent prevented them from participating in discussions pertaining to national importance. Do you know that the youngest serving president in Africa is a 46-year-old man, who has spent 17 years in power? President Joseph Kabila of The Democratic Republic of Congo attained power at age 29, in 2001, days after his father, President Laurent-Desire Kabila, was assassinated. He has since remained the only youth to attain such a position in Africa.

Just like in other African countries, Nigerian youths are often underdogs to older politicians due to reasons ranging from inadequate knowledge of the democratic process, to lack of participation in Community Development; these acts are contrary to the sermon preached by the founders of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), an organization founded in the 90s.

Who are the NYM founders and what was their ideology?

Stay tuned.