2023: NOW, WE NEED TO GET INVOLVED

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2023: NOW, WE NEED TO GET INVOLVED

The New Year is here and the race for the 2023 general elections is gradually heating up. Just last week, Vice President Yemi Osibajo officially declared his intention to run for the office of the President on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

In a similar vein, Osibajo’s mentor and the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu also notified the general public of his intention to vie for the office of President in the next general elections.

The race is gradually gathering momentum and the atmosphere will only continue to heat up ahead of the general elections. This article seeks to effectively capture the importance of the youth in any democratic dispensation and why the Nigerian youth need to be actively involved in the democratic process in 2023 and beyond.

First, we need to carefully understand the importance of the youth to Nigeria, its politics, and its democratic process. Joyce Daniels, a young lawyer wrote a lovely piece on this topic and gave interesting insights into why the young need to be more actively involved in the electioneering process.

The article, published by Vanguard Newspapers on September 1, 2021, titled, ‘Why We Should Drive It Home For The Nigerian Youth’ explains in clearer terms, the importance of the youth to the success of the country. Excerpts from the article, ‘Nigeria, the most populous black nation, is home to around 200 million people with an annual population growth of 2.61%. Currently, over 33.6 million (16.8%) Nigerians are regarded as youths (aged between 15 and 35). However, according to statistics, about 43.69% of Nigeria’s total population were aged 0 to 14 in 2019. This means that in the nearest future, the youth will increasingly form the bulk of the country’s population as children grow older into young adults.’ Daniels noted that Nigeria’s youthful population will present a stimulating opportunity for growth and development if given the pride of place by policymakers.

Unarguably, it is a no-brainer that the youth have the numbers but that should not be the only reason to clamor for more participation in the democratic process, right? Certainly not but the achievements of the Nigerian youth in other sectors like Entertainment, Information Technology amongst others provide a testament to the readiness and willingness of the Nigerian youth to turn the tide around if given a conducive atmosphere to thrive in the democratic process.

According to Daniels, Nigeria controls 80% of music on the African continent, Nigeria can boast of the third largest movie industry in the world, Nigeria’s digital space and ICT sector are gradually gaining international recognition and all of these achievements mentioned above can certainly be credited to the tenacity and doggedness of the Nigerian youth.

However, Honourable Kehinde Joseph of the Alimosho Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly noted that the Nigerian democratic arena is chock-full with recycled politicians from the 1960s and 70s. He noted that most political posts are occupied by gladiators ruling the country since 1999. In most cases, these offices are allocated to stooges and protégés who hold them in trust for their principals and are answerable to them alone.

The main challenge to ensuring more youthful participation in the electioneering process and ultimately, directing the affairs of their country is summarized in my WhatsApp interview with Mr. Richard Mammah, the Editor-In-Chief of the Difference Newspapers. Please enjoy.

Oluwole Olusanya: Good Evening Sir, I am writing an article for youth participation in the 2023 General Elections and I would love to get your take on the topic.

Mr. Mammah: The youth are the bulk of the electorate so they should simply ask themselves what kind of country do we want to have and mobilize in their numbers to see that reality come to pass.

Oluwole Olusanya: But what do you think is the biggest factor inhibiting youth participation in politics in Nigeria?

Mr. Mammah: Not being sufficiently aware and educated about the dynamics of the process. Politics is a vocation that requires people to be sufficiently committed enough to work as a team to promote a set of shared values to the center stage over an indeterminate period and without any fixed conclusions over the exact final details of how things would specifically pan out.

Oluwole Olusanya: Sir, what do you think is the way forward?

Mr. Mammah: The way forward is for young political players to build up the values they desire and be willing to enter the field and be patient to endure the process as well as take what it offers - even if it requires their making adjustments in their original personal ambitions.

Oluwole Olusanya: Sir, can you identify one youth with the intelligence and charisma to lead Nigeria in 2023?

Mr. Mammah: I don't want to go there, sir.

Oluwole Olusanya: Please sir. Your opinion is important.

Mr. Mammah: If you give me a list of options, perhaps I can try.

Oluwole Olusanya: I don't know any, myself.

Mr. Mammah: How olds was Gowon when he became head of state? He was a youth of sorts, right? What is your age bracket for youth?

Oluwole Olusanya: Yes sir. Anyone before 40 is regarded as a youth.

Mr. Mammah: For Nigeria's problems today, the only acceptable leader for me is that the President should be a democrat, person of vision, sold to restructuring and justice, and very creative and dynamic.

 

Conclusively, my interview cum exchange of ideas with Mr. Mammah is an eye-opener and his conclusion delivered the perfect message. Nigeria needs a visionary leader with the commitment and determination to ensure the success and prosperity of the country so that it can take its pride of place in the comity of nations. But, the importance of its youthful population needs to be felt in the democratic process not only because it has produced wonderful results in other sectors of the economy but because there is a need to demand accountability from the present crop of leaders and ensure that the country is led by only those deserving of it. The #EndSARS protests provide a thorough illustration of what we can achieve if we work together for the betterment of our country and its citizens; 2023 presents another opportunity to rise to the occasion. NOW, WE NEED TO GET INVOLVED.

 

‘Elections have consequences’ – Barack H. Obama (44th President of the United States)

 

God Bless Nigeria.

 

Oluwole Olusanya is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of one of the fastest-growing lifestyle and entertainment websites in the country. He is a banker, writer, blogger, public affairs analyst and a tax consultant. He anchors Trending Topics on SHEFFA where he shares his thoughts and opinions on trending issues.

He is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the University of South Wales, Wales, United Kingdom. He has diplomas in Banking and Finance, Investigative Journalism, Creative Writing, and Linguistics from Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo, Lagos, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland and The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.