Much Ado About #NotTooYoungToRun -By Festus Ogun

First, let me commend the efforts of the #NotTooYoungToRun leaders and proponents for birthing the initiative. It is unarguable that youths in Nigeria are, over time, not adequately represented in government unlike what obtains in other enviable nations of the world.

It is a public knowledge that the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign has embarked on a mission to address age discrimination in candidacy for the legislative and executive branches.

The campaign has influenced the popular #NotTooYoungToRun bill which is currently gaining much sympathy and attention by our legislators — it has infact been passed. The bill tends to alter the provisions of sections 65, 106, 131, and 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); by reducing the age qualification for the office of the President from 40 to 35 years; Governor 35 to 30; Senate 35 to 30yrs; House of Reps 30 to 25; House of Assembly 30 to 25.

Looking at these fine proposals that aim at facilitating youths in governance, it is clear that the old in tooth have been in total control of power for too long. I guess the campaign might not have arisen if the aging were doing the needful. Now that the old have practically betrayed the trust of governance — and the teeming numbers of youths — the need to advocate for youths in government positions is indispensable and commendable.

As a Constitutional Law student, it can be boldly said that the Nigerian Constitution wasn’t designed to favour either the middle or lower class. Many provisions of our law are drafted in such a way that it worked against the upliftment of the lower class — into power. The Constitution was designed to favour only the rich and powerful. In fact, the entire political system is fashioned in favour of the rich as against the poor.

In other words, if you’re neither super rich nor powerful, all available institutions are tactically against your coming into political offices. Mention it! The old have therefore set out financial and other measures to screen out teeming numbers of — unemployed — youths from getting close to the seats of power.

For example, some parties nomination form is sold for about 5 million naira. How much more the amount paid to get ticket from INEC? It goes for millions of naira. How about the exorbitant amount spent to woo delegates at primary elections? How about the billions if naira spent over campaign and “logistics”? How about the notes shared to voters in the wee hours of election days? Or won’t an aspirant, who is not even a candidate yet, get something tangible into the fat pockets of the “leaders”?

As much as many will criticize wooing voters and spending superfluously, it is a key factor in winning elections in Nigeria. And so, that is weak point deployed by the rich and powerful to override others, particularly the youths.

Let me not even ask how many youths are ready to spend or “invest” such huge capital into the political “business”. The question should be, how many youths control such required capital?

Many youths have tried it in the past and have failed woefully, mainly because of their financial strengths. The case of the Nigerian youths is therefore analogous to the Biblical spirit which is ever willing to be holy but unfortunately the body is too weak.

Thus, the powerful had intentionally made the youths unemployed so as to handicap them from getting control of power when many of us were dozily unsuspicious.

Is it the young man who’s struggling to survive with N-power program that will embark on a voyage that will be later be futile for inadequate finances? Yes, I understand we’re #NotToYoungToRule. Yet, the reality must never be sidelined in our approach.

Importantly, the main trouble with Nigeria is not about the youths not being in power — that doesn’t negate my agitation for youths in power. It is rather about the right candidate not being in power, affected by plethora forces. This point need be made, for there are some youths that are quite politically brutal than the elders.

A good example is the youngest serving Governor in Nigeria, Mr Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. As young as he is, he’s part of those governors that have betrayed the trust of the people. At least, the citizens were expecting something better from a supposed youth, he’s rather anything but serious when it comes to his style of governance. In essence, a youth must not just be considered for election based on the prejudice of his age but what he has to offer and his readiness.

My brother, James Ogunjimi observed aptly that “while we are trying to bridge generational gaps and disconnects especially in policies, we must not make the mistake of thinking that sacrificing integrity and clear-headed plans for age can spell anything other than disaster.”

The youths must be ever ready to enhance political consciousness and orientation amongst the people, particularly from the local level. The mistake many youths platforms make is jettisoning the grassroots.

Getting involved cannot be totally realised by the mere passage of bills into law. It requires the preparedness and readiness of the youth to work hard. The youths must sweat, they must struggle hard if they are ready to “run”.

Those there now appear not ready to release those offices if they don’t see us being wholly prepared. The shackle in which the youths are today cannot be broken on a platter gold or by mere social media hashtags, which is the trend in town.

If the bill gets passed into law, the campaign must not just stop at that. It is not yet Uhuru. The organisation should be very tactical in understanding the political reality of Nigeria and putting up measure to ensure many youths are in corridor of power by the next election. The bill if passed, should not be allowed to stand like Chapter two of the 1999 Constitution which is more of paper than reality.

I pray for the success of #NotTooYoungToRun campaign.
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Festus Ogun, a Civil Rights activist, can be contacted via festusoguntv@gmail.com.