OUR NEW LAW IN TOWN: NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN
OUR NEW LAW IN TOWN: NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
May 31,2018
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Permit me to ask, in my view a very fundamental question thus, Is leadership about "age" or competence? The answer to this fundamental question should and or must be the concern of everyone.
Nigerians who regard themselves as "youth" will celebrate the signing of the Not Too Young to Run Bill into law, but In my observation, one of the major obstacles that limits the participation of many credible persons in our Politics of today is "Money Politics" that has come to dominate our Political space.
More so, our highly "Monitize Politics", in my observation, deprives us of having credible, competent and results oriented leaders. No matter how competent a candidate is, if he lacks Resources or a Moneybag Politician to back him up, he will certainly end up losing in the electoral contest.
My personal opinion on leadership is certainly not about the persons' age, but rather his capacity, capability, competence, Integrity and honesty. I am a firm believer of the combination of both the "young" and the "old" in leadership position not on the basis of their ages per se, but on their aforementioned qualities. In my thought, the society will benefit from the youthful exuberance of a competent young leader just as it will benefit from the maturity of a competent old leader.
Nigeria by its history has always been governed by relatively young people. If there are setting categories of ages to blame for its leadership failure then the young people will take a fair share of it. Please have the patience and come with me ,I shall proof it.
It is difficult to define who is a youth, however, United Nations defines youth as persons between the ages of 15 and 24. African Youth Charter defines it for ages between 15-35. In most of sub-Saharan Africa, the term "youth" is associated with young men from 15 to 30 or 35 years of age. However, in Nigeria the nearest definition of youth is perhaps the National Youth Service Corps' definition which mobilizes youth of below the ages of 30 and or 30 years.
A lot of people that are clamouring for youth participations are not youth themselves. On the other hand, the Nigerian civil service recognizes 18-60 years as the productive age which means any age between that bracket could be regarded as relatively young age.
Below are the various ages of Nigeria's leaders past at the time they held offices:
Sir Abubakar T. Balewa became Prime minister at the age of 49 (1912-1957). Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ceremonial President at 51(1904-1963). General Ironsi at 42(1924-1966). General Gowon at 32(1934-1966). General Murtala at 37(1938-1975). General Obasanjo at 38(1937-1976). President Shagari at 54(1925-1979). General Buhari at 41(1942-1983).General Babangida at 44(1941-1985). Chief Shokekan at 55(1936-1993). General Abacha at 49(1943-1994). General Abubakar at 56(1942-1998). President Obasanjo at 62(1937-1999). President Yar'adua at 56(1951-2007).President Jonathan at 53(1957-2010). President Buhari at 73(1942-2015).
While it is commendable to amend section 131 for the age of those contesting for President to be reduced from 40- 35years. Section 177 for Governorship contes from 35- 30years. For Senate is retained at 35years by section 65. For both House of Resps and state House of Assembly are reduced from 30-25years by section 106.
In my view, Nigerian Youth will only be deceiving themselves if they wait or expect that power will be given to them on a platter of goal. Power is gotten in a Democratic space not given on a platter of goal.
However, in my humble opinion, the quest for credible leadership is beyond age factor, but for me competency, credibility, capacity, patriotism, integrity and accountability be considered more.
May God bless Nigeria!