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Author: Iyere Ernest Ahamioje
Posted to the web: 9/18/2010 6:28:14 PM

BBC: You have been a major player in the leadership of this country for a long time. Don’t you think it is time to allow the younger generation take over from you the older ones as it happened in America and other parts of the world? IBB: Honestly, it is our wish that God will bring the younger people that will take over from us if they are available. I was the one who introduced the politics of new breed in this country. BBC: Why didn’t you step aside and give the younger generation a chance to lead since they are fresh and strong?IBB: Because we have seen signs that they are not capable of leading this country and so we feel we should help them. (APRIL 18TH, 2010) The clamor for political power in Nigeria is on an ever increasing note with the Independent National Electoral Commission setting elections for January, 2011. However, what seems to be absent is shortage or perhaps total absence of Youths in the long list of emerging candidates. Youths have been encouraged to participate in elections, support candidates, defend their votes and if necessary die defending their votes but they have been treacherously excluded from vying for key political offices in the country. The current Nigerian constitution stipulates a compulsory minimum age of 40 years for President, 35 years for Senate, 35 years for Governor and 30 years for House of Representatives. The same constitution talks about a right to vote and be voted for with the minimum voting age of 18 years. Our argument has been that the masses should have the liberty to choose whosoever they believe can lead them even if it is an 18 year old. With respect to this, I find it imperative to call on all well meaning youth leaders and youths to begin to bring more attention to this conspicuous injustice done to us; the youths of this country. The fact that voting power undoubtedly rests in the hands of the tens of millions of youths in this country is the start point for what I call constructive and systematic lobby. Contesting Presidents, Governors, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives must be made to promise the youths that should they be elected into the respective offices they are vying for, they would review the current age restriction in the constitution. In the above regards, there is a need to set realistic targets by way of short and long term goals. As a short term goal, all the current constitutional age requirements should each be reduced by 10 years to become 30 years for President, 25 years for Senate, 25 years for Governor and 20 years for House of Representative. It is expected that in the long run, nobody adjudged constitutionally capable to cast a vote would be deprived of contesting for any position irrespective of age, gender, financial status, physical challenge etc Nigeria politics has showed us that the assumption that wisdom resides in the bosom of elders is now outdated. Many of our political leaders have demonstrated wisdom that is inversely proportional to their age. It is these leaders that sponsor election rigging, electoral malpractices, corruption and misappropriation of public funds, political and religious violence for their personal gain, dump their stolen funds in foreign accounts to help develop foreign nations, borrow from foreign banks to increase the Nationâ's indebtedness but increase their personal assets, spend the wealth of the masses treating themselves in the best hospitals all around the world due to their poor and failing health but ungodly ambition to cling to power at all cost. It is these so called elders that need a constitutional restriction from their unrepentant desire to ruin this Nation of ours. Perhaps it is time to begin to push for an age restriction of 60 years for anybody vying for any executive position in Nigeria. Only in the National Assembly should persons exceeding the age of 60 years be allowed to vie. This I strongly believe would serve the country great good as well as give way for the dynamic, creative, energetic, intellectually capable and vision oriented youths of this country to contribute their quota towards their Nation. Alexander the Great one of the greatest Kings, Generals and military geniuses of all times died at the age of 33. In more recent times Martin Luther King, Jr. one of the greatest leaders ever and mentor to several current world leaders was assassinated at the young age of 39. It is curious to observe that if these men that are the la crème de la crème of leaders were of Nigerian extraction; our current constitution would judge them as not qualified to vie for the position of President of Nigeria (throughout their life time). This is pathetic. However, while we begin to advocate for greater involvement and participation of the youths in governance and not just voting, whatever gave General Babangida the impetus to make his arrogant statement that Nigerian youths are incapable of leadership must have been because of the comportment of some youth leaders around him. We must arise to the consciousness that material gain is not worth selling ourselves and children into a life of slavery for. There is a need to develop a political ideology as a youth leader and stick to it irrespective of how much naira is being dangled in front of you. Young leaders cannot continue to change their ideology as the face of the person in front of them dangling the naira changes. To be taken serious, we must first consider ourselves serious. As 2011 approaches, I urge all youths to begin to talk about this constitutional exclusion and demands must now be placed on all political aspirants to get their commitment to expunge this restriction that has become oppressive to the most vibrant constituency in this country. Our future has finally come and we must demand for our rights before we become part of history. I will always be by the Youths, God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, God Bless Our Youths Yours Sincerely,Iyere Ernest AhamiojeB.s.c Political Science(University Of Ilorin ,Kwara State of Nigeria)Department of Human and Social SciencesKennesaw state University ,Kennesaw Georgia.Nigeria's Youth Ambassador to the United Nations (2009)Founder Positive Nigeria Inc.www.positivenigeria.org