Nigerian activist Omoyele Sowore, who ran for president in the 2023 election, is urging young people in the country to take a more active role in politics. Sowore criticized the current trend of young Nigerians seeking positions as assistants to established politicians, arguing that they should instead strive for leadership roles themselves.
Sowore’s comments come in the wake of the recent swearing-in of Senegal’s new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is just 44 years old. This development, according to Sowore, highlights the need for a similar shift in Nigerian politics.
“Our young people are concerned with doing what I call tag-along,” Sowore said in a Channels Television interview. “They are more interested in becoming special assistants to governors or senators.” He argued that Nigerian youth lack clear ambition to take on leadership positions.
Sowore believes that young Nigerians need to be bolder and more proactive if they want to see a change in the political landscape. He emphasizes the importance of youthful energy and vision in leadership and suggests that young people shouldn’t settle for following the lead of older generations, who may be out of touch with the country’s needs.
“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,” Sowore remarked. He further argued that youthful leaders are typically more alert, capable, and responsive to the needs of the people they represent.
While acknowledging the Not Too Young Bill, which was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari and aimed at encouraging youth participation in politics, Sowore believes a more assertive approach is necessary. “Power is not handed out, it’s taken,” he declared. The activist suggests that young Nigerians should not wait for opportunities to be presented to them, but rather take initiative and fight for their place at the table.
Sowore’s comments have sparked debate in Nigeria, with some agreeing that young people need to be more ambitious in politics. Others argue that gaining experience through assistant positions is a valuable stepping stone for future leadership roles. Regardless of perspective, Sowore’s message has reignited a conversation about the role of young people in shaping the future of Nigerian politics.
