When last week the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed the much talked about Not Too Young to Rule Bill into law, the entire nation, especially the youths, went into frenzy, particularly on social media, celebrating what they regarded as liberation for them to have, at least, some modicum of assurance that the chance of getting to power to contribute to national development had become realistic or brightened up.
Yes, it is praiseworthy that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari at last signed the bill into law. However, there are other issues that may make the dream of many qualified responsible youths getting to power unrealizable in years to come or till eternity.
Prime among the factors that may inhibit this dream from becoming a reality is the economic capability of the youths when they reach the age to throw into the ring their hat to vie for an elective office. A youth who likes to participate in governance may be qualified in age to vie for an elective office but economically, will he be able on his own to pay the monetary bills and obligations associated with political contest as is practised now in our clime? The answer is no, unless he is among the few privileged ones out of millions, or he is a “Yahoo Yahoo” boy or he is supported by his parents or uncles who are rich.
This boils down to the fact that a lot of youths who will be able to make it to corridors of power will either be the children of those in power now or the generations of those who made their wealth through dubious and heinous means, leaving the children of those poor masses with good intention to continue to peep, struggling in futility to get to power and effect a genuine leadership that will change the lots of their kindred for good.
With the scenario and experience narrated and shared above, how will the new Not-Too-Young to-Rule Bill effect any real change in our political landscape? How will the bill put a stop to oppressive gerontocracy and recycling of old leaders, their children, lackeys and cronies?
While appreciating the efforts of the sponsor of the bill and the coordinator of Not-Too-Young-Rule Movement in Nigeria, Samson Itodo, the bill will amount to nothing if our youths are not empowered economically and with quality and timely education. It is when all the bottlenecks and unnecessary rituals in our political system are removed that we can see and experience genuine good governance. It is then that people with conscience and integrity can come to power. Therefore, it won’t be out of place to speedily sponsor, pass and sign a Not-Too-Poor-To-Run Bill
Marufh Bello,
Ibadan
