During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election, voiced his observation that Nigerian youths seem predominantly inclined towards seeking positions as Personal Assistants to the President and governors.
Sowore’s remarks came as he discussed the political aspirations of young Nigerians in the aftermath of the inauguration of 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the President of Senegal. Faye’s swearing-in ceremony, which took place in Dakar and was attended by several African leaders, garnered attention.
Expressing his perspective on the matter, Sowore lamented that the youth in Nigeria appear more focused on securing roles as personal assistants to governors and other leaders.
“Our young people are concerned with doing what I call tag-along. They are more interested in becoming special assistants to governors or senators.
“I have not seen that clear aspiration on the part of our young people to become leaders,” he said.
Sowore said Nigerian youths need to become more daring in politics to be able to replicate the new dispensation in Senegal.
The activist said, “You cannot be young, mission-driven, and a visionary and go and hide your bushel under some of these old people who have no idea of how to even operate a phone.
“Youthfulness is also important in the sense that you need leaders that are alert and capable and responsive and do not have to spend half of the time in the hospital.”
Recalls that former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Not Too Young To Run Bill, which provides for the youths to vie for the presidency and other positions.
But Sowore said the youths need to “take power” and not wait for any law to make that happen.
“You take power. Nobody should give power to you by any constitutional amendment or law,” he said.
