Nigerian youth said they want to rule. I ask, HOW?

By Shoremekun Saheed Ololade


Naivety is when you totally throw the peculiarities of our own politics and politicians overboard thinking you will just walk through to the presidency. That's not the way things work. Never the way.

I laugh each time I see Nigerians tout the names of Trudeau; Macron, Kurz and co as being young men who became leaders in their countries in a jiffy.

These Nigerians talk as if the guys just woke up one morning and found themselves as presidents or PM.

What many fail to realize is this; who is the power bloc behind Trudeau or Macron.

In case you don't know, let me say this:
Those guys you shout about are dancing to the tunes of the 50, 60, 70 year old political power brokers.

Yeah, I mean the 50, 60, 70 year olds you naively call "old cargoes". Abi you think it is those shouting on Facebook (or social media in general) who are dictating what's going on in Canada; France or Austria?

Tope Fasua , Presidential Candidate for ANRP

You think Macron's wife is a mere appendage abi? Hmph. Besides, you think Trudeau is the one in charge? (He for example is being controlled by the Liberal/Left goons. Story for another day).

Have you ever asked yourself who 'pulled' Macron; Trudeau or Kurz 'into line'? Have you ever asked yourself when those boys joined politics? Have you ever asked yourself how long did those boys 'play the game' of politics and how and who did they join? Have you ever asked yourself where did they work before appearing on the 'world stage'?

Let me focus on the 32 year old Austrian PM.
Sebastian Kurz for one was the youngest European Foreign Minister at least two years ever before he started the push for PM. Or you think he was in his house typing and abusing away on Facebook before he became Foreign Minister?

Had he not joined politics at the grassroots years back you think he will just emerge as foreign minister? Kurz is a conservative, a strong and consistent one at that. You know, being a conservative in the West is not an easy venture.

The boy must have a steely fortitude for him to remain in and retain his beliefs; that kind of consistency plus his eloquence in passing across his beliefs brought people to him at the grassroots first before working his way up. Note that, I said he worked his way up from the grassroots. Kurz understood the inner workings of government and of the political systems.

 Every country has got her own political systems and workings. And mind you, he rode on the wave of populism which is sweeping across the world.

Also, he's got strong stance against migration and he is for his country's independence in a collective Europe (the boy had a rallying charge and a rallying cry). And you know what? Kurz dropped out of the University to focus on politics at the grassroots while at a younger age (just saying). Why did he do that? The boy had a clear game plan.

In Italy for example, do you know and understand exactly what tilted power towards the populists in that country? (a rallying charge and a rallying cry again). Do you know that a 'wrongly driven' youth like Renzi was driven out while another set of new leaders were pushed in? Do you understand the angst against the 'Establishment' and how it was channeled and worked on? Abi you think the fight they fought was only about the 'Let the yoots take over' nonsense?

Hope you aren't falling for the lies of CNN and co who tries to paint you a picture of Macron being swept into office by a wave of French youths and that he is independent?

Back to Naija, you will want to tell me that the old political class in Nigeria became leaders when they were youths.
Now, the younger generation jumping up and down have no major bloc backing them, they have no rallying charge nor cry, they don't have monies or a war chest that can shake the status quo (politics ain't cheap especially in Nigeria), neither do they have an electorate who are purely ready to back them with their own money or donations.

Even Trump had to spend his own money while working with an established political order (even if he was in disagreements with a bunch of them). Upon all the clout and friendships Trump had built over the years, he needed an enlightened electorate, an engaging electorate, he needed a rallying charge and cry (Make America Great Again) which resonated (and resonates) with the people and Trump rallied them.

I see and hear many on social media rehash the 'stories' of how the Awolowos, Akintolas, Bola Iges, Aminu Kanos, Azikiwes, Balewas, Gowons, Obasanjos, Buharis and others came to governance when they were youths.

What many fail to realize is that the 'Awo generation' had EDUCATION going for them. The numbers of educated people in their day were not as many as of today. Education their day practically forced an elite status on virtually all of them.



 Added to that, is the fact that they were not detached from their CULTURE (and the sound character it instilled) which some of them mixed with the western education they got thereby making them act and speak beyond their years. That generation had the support of their people. Some today will term that generation as ethnic champions, but it is not so. They had support all the same, they connected with a people, with a group, with an idea, just like Kurz connected with the conservatives in his country and with those who believes that their country need protection. Just like Trump connected with so many conservatives, with the religious, with people from middle America and in other parts of America (over economic issues) yet the liberal media kept lying to you and to themselves that he is bad and a racist, while his base is still growing.
Another thing some of those older generation had going for them was the GUN. Yes, the gun. For those who were in the military, they had the guns to push their way into power.
You say, "Gowon became president at bearly 29!", but you failed to understand that Gowon had the force of the gun behind him.
Moreover, that generation had what I called earlier a RALLYING CHARGE and a RALLYING CRY. They understood the times and seasons they were in. They knew the language to speak. Themselves and their people needed freedom from the colonialists, and these guys were the ones who naturally could represent their people. They knew exactly how to engage the colonialists because they got acquainted with the systems and psyche of the colonialists. They didn't just sit outside of the system. They got in. They PLAYED THE GAME. That generation needed to grow their country and steer her away from backwardness.
Political roles and political office practically sought those older generation out because of their endowments.
Some of them were thrust into office just because they had those things going for them.
Still, what they appeared to have going for most of them did not make them lazy; it made them put in the work needed to be the first pot of call when political office and roles came calling.
What do we have today?
A bunch who believe not in these principles but want to be just walkthrough to the highest offices; not only in the public sector but also in the private sector.
A bunch who do not read or read headlines only are the ones calling for youths to replace the old. A bunch who are yet to learn from experience are the ones calling for replacement. A bunch who are not clear about their rallying charge or cry are calling for replacement. A bunch who are not ready to pay the price. A bunch who are hasty are calling for replacement. Reminds me of a statement Olajide Abiola once made on phone in one of our discussions: ".....The fact that they (the youths) are hasty to get to power clearly shows they lack character."
Am I against youths being in the highest offices? NO.
I am for a MAN, not a child. Selah (pause and think).
Above all, there's the GOD factor in the leadership of nations. If HE is the One Who sets the boundaries of nations. I strongly believe HIS inputs is needed when the leadership of such nations comes up. HE is the same GOD WHO used an 80 year old Moses to lead a people out of the Egyptian bondage, yet HE is the same GOD WHO raised an *18* year old David (trained him for years) so that HE can use the man to establish Israel.
O yes, I do love Nigeria!