A youth-summit ended in Lagos on Wednesday with participants expressing anger over what they called “recycling of leadership positions in Nigeria”.
The summit organized, at the instance of Mr. Iheanachor Ezeakor, a Malaysia-based Nigerian youth, provided opportunity for the youths to review the political situation across the country.
It could be re-called that a similar summit was held in Enugu last month, where participants drawn from various states in the South-East, urged all presidential aspirants above 50 years to drop their ambition.
The Lagos summit brought together youths from all walks of life, with echoes of lamentations over the condition of Nigerian youths.
In a communique issued after the event, which was signed by Alhaji Haruna Waziri from Kaduna State, Mrs. Wena Isename, Delta State and Princess Roseleen Folamin, Oyo State, the youths bemoaned the refusal of “old politicians” to give way for the younger generation.
They noted that, “the political situation in Nigeria has sadly over the years become akin to a relay race, where one person hands over baton to another in a-well-arranged circle.
“We note with sadness that ever since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the leadership positions across the 36 States of the Federation, as well as the position of the President, have continued to revolve round the same circle of friends, old men and women.
“We have continued to have the same set of people as president, governors, ministers, and heads of other strategic positions in government.
“It is even more worrisome considering that these set of self-styled political leaders and god-fathers have failed to provide the needed leadership needed to turn around the political and economic prosperity of Nigeria for the good of all.
“The result is abject poverty, unemployment, marriage break-ups, suicides here and there, poor quality education, collapsed infrastructure, among others.”
The communique added that considering the prevailing circumstance, “we are gearing up for 2019 and call on the youths to key into this redemption mission by first of all obtaining their voters’ cards.
“We urge them to support any credible youth who indicates interest to run for any position, ranging from State House of Assembly, Reps, Senate, Governorship and that of the president, regardless of the political platform.
“This time around, we emphatically say no to recycling of political positions in Nigeria. The youths should be given a sense of belonging in the country.
“For now, we have resolved that if Iheanachor Ezeakor indicates interest for the positions of president, we shall give him our total support.
“The youths have the population strength and this is the time to use it wisely and not time for thuggery.”
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