Th e two dominant political parties in Nigeria, composed of notable young people skeletally at the hierarchy, are waxing stronger and will only provide their platforms to anyone with capacity and strength to promote the interest of the party and aid their victory at the polls
If the promoters of not too young to run concept and other young people displeased with the dominant roles of elderly people in APC and PDP are sincerely craving for a new order, their efforts ought to be channeled towards having a special unified platform to challenge the ruling party and the opposition from the grassroots to the states and national levels
Recently, I joined the league of youth leaders under the auspices of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) to worship at the National Mosque in Abuja
It was a special prayer for the good health of President Muhammadu Buhari and peace for Nigeria
The chief imam of the mosque described President Buhari as a Godfearing leader
And despite my exceeding love for the man in question, I queried the verdict in my heart and for weeks I searched for reasons why the President of my country, who promised to promote the welfare and general well being of Nigerians for over two years and is yet to fulfill his promises to the latter, is regarded with emphasis as a God-fearing personality
I was very determined to find answers to the puzzle due to the strangeness of the scenario
Since childhood till date, I can authoritatively say that it was my first time of hearing such qualification on anyone by a reputable Islamic scholar
And for such qualification to be mentioned by the chief imam of the National Mosque, I became seriously worried
But my worry was finally addressed when some governors visited President Buhari at the Presidential Villa recently where he asked them how they manage to sleep when workers in their states are owed salaries? The poser brought a reflection of the fact that the first major assignment of President Buhari on assumption of duty as President in 2015 was the off er of bailout funds to states for payment of workers’ salaries
He subsequently released the Paris Club refund which was to be channeled towards the same cause, yet most governors are still indebted to their workers
I took the reflection to the fight against impunity and corruption under Mr President and wondered why the former National Security Adviser and the leader of Shiite Movement are under incarceration while the leader of the Biafra Movement was granted bail; a reflection on the gravity of the allegations and threats of their actions to peace and stability in Nigeria
I had no doubt to agree with the imam that President Buhari is a Godfearing personality
One attribute I learned from the holy books and other relevant literatures is the fact that God-fearing people usually suffer hatred and persecution among the affluents and influential people in the society
In most circumstances, people surrounding God-fearing people usually behave niggardly or misrepresent their boss as we have witnessed on countable occasions which usually cause doubt in the minds of the populace to examine whether the hallmarks and the actions of the boss tallies or not
A general appraisal of the trials, travails and ordeals of the present administration led by President Buhari indicates the fact that the President is indeed a man of integrity for keeping our faith alive for a brighter rewarding future as the new orientation of the country is geared towards integrity, hard work and diligence
The statement of the President to the governors showed that the President acknowledged the fact that much needed to be done by him to create a positive new lease of lives to suffering Nigerians and equally reveals his love for Nigerians at all levels
Before his assumption of office, Buhari suffered image battering by his detractors and traducers and has suffered worse attacks as the President but remain among exceptional few in Nigeria regarded as men of integrity
In this era where alleged drug peddlers, money ritualists, fraudsters and people of questionable wealth are role models and mentors to many youth, one can only pray to God to assist President Buhari to succeed in repositioning Nigeria for greatness so that men of questionable characters will not reign over us again
I believe, if men and women of goodwill and positive intentions will rise from diff erent parts of the country to uphold integrity and support this administration to combat the ills in our societies with the mindset of fi ghting hunger and insecurity, Nigeria will be a better country again
Comrade Agboola is Chairman, National Caretaker Committee, National Youth Council of Nigeria
