According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), elections will be held into the various political offices in the country from February 2023 to March 2023. Individuals among other personalities have shown their interest in the electoral process by vying for various political offices such as Gubernatorial candidates, Senatorial, and House of Assembly representatives through different political platforms in the country.
In October 2020, youths in the country took to the street chanting various war songs like End SARs, end bad governance, among others. With this development, one will believe that the youth have woken up from their slumber to be obliged to the constitutional responsibility of getting involved in the electoral process of the country. Being visible on various social media platforms is a good development but one will agree with the fact that the youth need to take steps further in the electoral process of the country by obtaining their PVC and getting involved in political parties.
One will continue to ask this question “2023 general elections, where are the youths?” To start with people, like Pa Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Anthony Enahoro, Pa Olanihun Ajayi, and Gowon, all got into the electoral process in their 20s. In fact, some of them became regional leaders and head states in their 20s. “2023 general elections, where are the youths?” Yes, after a day’s job, it is a good thing for a hardworking person to relax in a cool joint or any available club but in recent times, the reverse is the case. 75% of our youth take excess delight in socials, clubbing here and there, holding parties that can not add value to them or their generations. There is a need for the youth in the country to change their orientation. They need to channel their God-given talents towards productive innovations that will position them for leadership positions in the country.
One needs to applaud youths like Amusan who have positioned Nigeria on the world map during the commonwealth games. We also have the likes of her that have distinguished themselves in their various profession but it is very sad to note that 75% of youth prefer to spend 24 hours in Clubhouses, watching BBNaija among other time-wasting programs that have not been able to remodel them as good ambassadors of their fatherland. One has to continue to ask this question, “2023 general elections, where are the youth”?
When professionals desert politics for social miscreants, they will continue to provide bad governance without any productive approach to situations that has increased the level of poverty in the country and made many people exit the country. The way out – Nigerian youth needs to be well involved in the political process of the country by obtaining their PVC, joining a political party, and getting necessary mentoring from the political class which will build them as future leaders and restores the lost glory of the country.