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POST 2015 ELECTION: YOUTH POSITION STATEMENT

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By Ubong David

''If 60% of the Nigerian population can ask for only 30% level of inclusion, then they must be given. Youth in Nigeria made up of at least 60% of the labour force and constitute majority of the eligible voters, with whose votes leaders emerge'' - DR. AHMED ADAMU, Chairperson, Commonwealth Youth Council

Since the emergence of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Rtd as president-elect of Nigeria after the March 28 presidential election, I have observed with keen interest the numerous delegations that has paid a visit to the president-elect but till date I haven't heard about a delegation from the youth who were the major actors in the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari. Though in Nigeria, many of the youth and youth leaders feel that 30% Affirmative Action is not possible. They don't even have the courage to make their demand. I belong to the school of thought that ''it is only when you ask that what you ask for is given to you.''

Let me use a typical example here. Few years back, the position of the National Youth Leader of PDP was given to a 62 year old retiree and it was a national embarrassment to the Party. The issue become a national discourse. We didn't keep silent on the issue. We challenged that decision through text messages, press statements and advocacy campaign to our leaders. Today, PDP as a party is proud of a youth leader who is a youth leader both in age, spirit and capacity. The truth of the issue is: No matter how sick a patient is, it is only when he or she approach a hospital and present a case before the doctor or nurses that his or her ordeal is given attention. It is not given on a platter of gold. You don't sit at the house and the doctor came begging to treat your ailment.

It is unfortunate that the youth of this country are always used only during election and immediately the election is over, they become unuseful. Where is the National Youth Council of Nigeria? Where is NANS? Where is Ibrahim Wala, Jasper Azuatalam, Musa Garaje, Ahmed Magem, Jaye Gaskia, Kayode, Nazi, Godspower Igwe and numerous vibrant and articulated young people who were on the frontline of the 2015 Presidential Election using different platforms which Muhammadu Buhari emerged as winner? Is their mission only to campaign for the emergence of leaders and after then they are relegated to the backdoor of history? During Jonathan administration, Nigerian women have more than twelve cabinet minister in consonance with 35% Affirmative Action for women. They didn't got it on a platter of gold but they work for it. They advocated, lobbied and today the women of Nigeria can boast that their interest was fully represented at appointed position. This is another era and I think this is the time for Nigeria youth to be given a place at the table. The youth must demand for youth inclusion in the mainstream of democratic governance. Their voices must be heard and their impact felt.

We are today reading story of young Chuka Umunna emerging as MP in UK. We earlier read about Ahmed Adamu emergence as pioneer Chairperson of Commonwealth Youth Council. They didn't achieved this great feat by just sitting down at the sideline and watch but they fought for it and succeeded. Nigerian youth have many success stories to tell the world both at home and the diaspora and we must make use of them to bring their expertise and innovation to bear in governance. 

Today, a young man, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin from Kano State is aspiring for the position of Speakership of the House of Representatives. We must give him the necessary support to succeed so as to represent the interest of the youth. We must not allow the elders who were not even actively involved in the election to take it all. The youth must have a say at the table.

I therefore call on the youth leaders and youth who play active role in the presidential election to lead a high-powered youth delegation to visit the president-elect with a position statement demanding for youth inclusion at the mainstream for the overall interest of the entire youth population of this great country. This is no more an APC affairs but a national concern of the collective interest of Nigerian youth. The delegation must covered the entire six geo-political zones of the country. We must guard against individual visit base on vested interest but let the interest of Nigerian youth be paramount. The time to act is now before it is too late.

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