Road to 2023: Why Youths Should Take The Lead

As the year 2023 draws near, it is pertinent to remind the youths that the year offers them another great opportunity to effect the changes they desire in the Nigeria political system. The youths, no doubt, are the vangards of change and has the wherewithal to contribute in the socio-political and economic development of any nation.

Taking cognizance of the history of advanced nations, the young men and women are the driving force in politics. Their roles in politics can't be overemphasized. Youths constitute a formidable force that can make the difference the society needs because of their number, exuberance and energy. As future leaders, the future of any nation state depends on them. Collaborating the significance of Youths, Pope JohnPaul 11 said that they are the mirror of the society and true face of the Church. In African countries, especially in Nigeria, they have made indelible positive marks in the socio-political and economic development of Nigeria. It is on records that the political landscape of Nigeria was dominated by vibrant and energetic youths before and after nation's independence. These crop of politicians ensured Internal democracy in their various parties. They respected the sanctity of human lives and therefore could not engage in blood shed and wanton killings in the name of politics. They were patriotic and formed political parties with good ideologies and national outlook. For instance, the likes of such politicians include General Yakubu Gowon who was 31 years when he became the Head of State, General Murtala Muhammad who was 37 years when he became the Head of State and General Olusegun Obasanjo who was 39 years when he emerged as the Head of State. In the political history of our nation, these youths made remarkable marks which is a watershed in our existence. Unfutunatalely, today's youths are different. The status quo has changed. This is because, the young people allowed themselves to be used as agents of destruction. Some prefer gun to Leadership, thugs to occupying elective positions. A school of thought attributed this ugly scenario to the high rate of poverty in the land occasioned by bad governance. Another school of thought attributes it to lack of proper enlightenment, unemployment and high rate of illteracy among the youths. During the electoral process, youths are used by the political appointees and notable politicians to unleash mayhem on perceived enemies or opponent. The youths constitute party militia, and are used as thugs, bandits and assassins during Electioneering prieod. Election in Nigeria is characterised with voilence and snatching of ballot materials using the youths as agent. Most of these youths loose their lives in the process of trying to satisfy their masters, without any form of compensation to their loved ones. The resultant effect is that, elections are marred by rigging, and at the end of the electoral process selfish and self made leaders have their way. These young people at the end of the electoral process are regarded as miscreants, lazy generation, useless and jobless group by their political godfathers. It is sad that it is only during political campaigns and elections that youths are remembered and empowered with sophiscated weapon's and drugs to inflict pains on their masters opponents. After Election, out of frustration and hunger, the armed youths will resort to rubbery and other evils to make the ends meet. To be frank, Youths should be blamed for allowing themselves to be manipulated by bad leaders. Instead of playing the game by the rules, they take the short cut. Instead of pursuing their destinies, they hopelessly wallow in pains and anguish to satisfy their masters. At the state level, the story is the same. Young people are used during the electoral process to achieve selfish desires by politicians, who dump them at the end of the day. The painful thing here is that youths have not learnt their lessons, rather they are busy maintaining the status quo. This is too bad. In Ebonyi State, though the state have celebrated some good leaders, the story of the youths in the political arena is not interesting. The youths have refused to change their narratives by taking the wrong path in politics. From 1999 general elections to 2019 general elections, they story is still the same. The state experienced pockets of political voilence and clashes in some quarters, including some sections of Ikwo, Ezza North and Ohaozara Local Government Areas as a result of the activities of the youths who were been used by desperate politicans. Be that as it may, it is imperative to state categorically that the future of any nation lies in the hands of the youths. It is high time the youths take their destiny into their hands. The youths should take the lead in politics and governance to change the status quo and unleash their potentials to bring changes in our nations polity. They should shun voilence, killings, political thuggery, rape, militancy, kidnapping and cultism. It is time to think on how to rebuild our nation. It is time to say no to evil acts and choose the path of progress and peace. During the political process, especially 2023 youths should accept normination forms and reject guns. They should defend their parties democratically the way former President, Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owele of Onisha and Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did. They should vote for candidates with the needed charisma who who can create wealth and jobs for the teaming unemployed youths . They should vote for leaders who have the political will to revive industries and factories in order to reduce social vices amongst the Youths. It is a fact that if the Nkalagu Cement factory and other erring industries are revived, states like Ebonyi will experience economic boom. But unfortunately, the present Government didn't prioritize the Nkalegu industry. They should seek for selfless politicians that have all it takes to mobilize both human and material resources to achieve the needed transformation in the society. Ebonyi state for instance is on top of wealth and celebrating poverty. The salt of the nation is richely endowed by nature, but the inhabitants live in lack. The state has a lot of mineral resources, including limestone, granites, copper, zinc, iron ore, salt, and lead. If these minerals are harnessed, the state will experience economic prosperity. The question is that, who can do it? The youths should provide the answer to this fundamental question. However, the youths should see politics as a game of numbers, not a war. Election should be a process of selecting leaders with proven intergrity, not a do or die affair. Youths should get their Permanent Voter's card ready to vote for credible leaders of their choice. They should present candidates that will give them jobs, provide security and ensure tranquility in the land for elections. They should look for pragmatic and visionary leaders who will bring the dreams of the founding fathers of Ebonyi State into reality. The likes of late Ezeogo Dr. Akanu Ibiam still exist, it behoves on the youths to search for them. Let's join hands together to rebuild our nation. Otah Christopher Israel Public Affairs Analyst