Adedokun: Youth inclusion in politics isn’t the solution to Nigeria’s leadership crisis

Niran Adedokun, an author, says youth inclusion in politics is not the “quick-fix” to the country’s leadership crisis.

Speaking on Saturday when he featured on “Bookversations”, a virtual programme organised by Ignite Africa, an Ikeja-based library, Adedokun said discussions about good leadership in Nigeria should be be about having a functional system, not the age of political office holders.

Adedokun also charged young people to explore their potentials.

“Nigerian youths need more important things that the senate and every arm of government should concentrate on rather than talking about politics,” he said.

“We should adequately prepare the young ones rather than taking them into politics where essentially what we are thinking about is how to steal money.

“The two major people that are contesting elections in the United States are in their 70s, who cares about how old they are. This is because there is a system and institution in place that helps democracy to function.

“Both the youths and the old are properly taken care of. So, this idea of fighting to have youths in political offices is not what l consider expedient. I don’t think those pushing that course really have the interest of the youths at heart.”

Adedokun said currently, there is “competence deficit” in the Nigerian leadership landscape because the existing system does not promote meritocracy.

He added that many in Nigeria see politics as a money-making avenue, not as a means to serve the people.

The lawyer cum public relations consultant said the country cannot make progress with such mindset unless there is a paradigm shift in the way people view politics.

“One of things that politics have suffered in Nigeria is that we have so abused it that it is the only business that people have,” he said.

“Everyone who wants to contest election in Nigeria is thinking of how to make money from it, not necessarily to go and serve.”

The discussion centered around the issues Adedokun raised in “The Danfo Driver In All of Us”, his latest book.