Siasia: On the trail of this political bride

BY MICHAEL ABIMBOYE

In a political environment where young people hardly find the space to compete favourably, he announced his presence impressively. That was against all known systemic and traditional practices that work against having a considerable representation of youths in public service.

Having successfully subdued these factors militating against the participation of the younger generation in politics, it was not surprising that he has remained relevant in the country’s politics.

In Bayelsa State, where he comes from, Moses Siloko Siasia is regarded as its golden child considering the precedent his feats in politics had created for youths. Though so many aspects of his trajectory beget inspiration, his participation in the 2015 governorship election in the state, remains more motivating to the Nigerian youths.

It was a scenario that broke myths and created records as the youngest to have contested Governorship election in the country’s political culture considering the brilliance he brought to the race and his eventual performance.

Saisia, who contested on the platform of Peoples Democratic Movement ,PDM, came third with 1, 572 votes in a race that paraded an array of political heavyweights.

Notably, 20 political parties participated in the keenly contested race where Siasia, who promised  to liberate the state from the shackles of oppression, debt and inept leadership emerged third.

While it is not in dispute that he did not emerge governor, the beauty of his defeat manifested in the sweeping significance of his performance.

Considering the systemic odds against him, emerging third among 20 contestants symbolically unlocked doors of opportunities for many young people. Siasia, who is also an entrepreneur of global repute pledged to create thousands of jobs for youths in the state and also make education attractive.

Siasia reiterated his commitment to pursue the implementation of policies that would create the enabling environment for employment generation, wealth creation, as well as giving impetus to education, health care delivery, urban renewal, agriculture and industrial development.

Though he did not emerge governor, Siasia has remained steadfast to the realisation of his election pledges.

This unlike most political actors, who often fail to display magnanimity i  defeat by being objective.

Also, he has been as constant as the northern star on the political scene with remarkable participation at various levels.

Despite not winning the election, he has been playing the role of an opposition constructively in the state. This has manifested through various inputs on some policy-actions and statements.

Consider this: “My passion about my state is to see that it is developed and gets to its destined destination. I keep telling people, who care to listen that we are not where we are supposed to be. The state needs a lot of professionalism and ideas for it to be where it is supposed to be. Government and stakeholders need to understand that there is the need for a bottom to top approach and not top to bottom approach.  Blue ocean economy and investment in agriculture can change the current economic landscape in Bayelsa. I believe the state governor is doing his best but all stakeholders need come together and put political differences aside and contribute our quota.”

This is one of Siasia’s many impacting and compelling pronouncements about his state.

In addition to these strategic involvements is his active participation in some national narratives,  which had seen him making contributions that deepen democracy.

One of such is the Not Too Young to Run Bill which his group, Nigerian Young Professionals Forum,NYPF, promoted alongside other like minds.

The #NotTooYoungToRun Bill sought to alter the Section 65, 106, 131, 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to reduce the age qualification for the office of the President from 40 years to 30 years; Governor 35 to 30, Senate 35 to 30, House of Representatives 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly 30 to 25. The Bill also sought to mainstream independent candidacy into Nigeria’s electoral process.

Interestingly, the aims of the bill have been achieved with its passage into law by the Senate.

Accordingly, the minimum age-limit to contest for the highest office in the land, the Presidency, was brought down from 40 to 35, while the age qualifications to run for a governorship seat and a seat in the House of Representatives were reduced by five years—to 30 and 25 years respectively.

Expectedly,  the amendment generated a lot of excitement with many , especially the youths, expressing optimism about the positive effects it would have on youth participation in politics.

At the level of Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs, NYPF has been partnering other stakeholders in providing response to some key social problems in the country.

For instance, the Siasia-led group recently gave out Financial grants to 35 Young Business Owners in the areas of Agric-business, Creative Industry and ICT and the group has played what observers termed a commendable role in the nation’s power sector.

The intervention which came as a response to the continuos vandalisation  of  pipelines was a workshop for host community youth leaders where power stations and pipeline installations are located across the country.

It was a forum that engaged key actors who sabotage  the power sector and whose actions led to Nigeria’s less than 3,000 megawatts generating status.

The rationale for the programme was explained thus by Siasia at an interactive forum: “This shameful act of sabotage is mainly caused by youths of our generation, who have lost faith and do not see themselves as stakeholders in our society.

“It is imperative to note with our recent findings that it is only few stakeholders and players in the power sector that is concerned about finding a solution to this menace, while some see it as a cash cow because of their selfish interests.

With these representing just a few of Siasia’s involvements in the polity, analysts consider him one of the leading youth leaders in Nigeria and Africa, whose presence could possibly create a paradigm shift on the scene.