By Sir Kuli Kuli
This is the time to wake our Youths from our ‘slumbering paralysis’. Understand that everything you’ll post on social media wont change our condition. Elections are not won and running of government is not done on Twitter, facebook or Instagram!.
In 1999 General Election, ‘we’ voted Obasanjo of PDP that won with 18,738,154 votes while Olu Falae of AD-APP got 11,110,287 votes.
In the 2003 General Election, majority voted Muhammadu Buhari of ANNP that got 12,710,022 votes while OBJ of PDP won with 24,456,140 votes.
In 2007 General Election, majority voted Muhammadu Buhari of ANPP that got 6,605,299 votes while Umaru Musa Yar’aduwa of PDP won with 24,638,063 votes.
In 2011 General Election, ‘we’ voted for Muhammadu Buhari of CPC that got 12,214,853 votes while Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of PDP won with 22,495,187 votes.
In 2015 General Election, ‘we’ voted for Muhammadu Buhari of APC that won with 15,424,921 votes while Goodluck Ebele Jonathan got 12,853,162 votes.
In 2019 General Election, ‘we’ voted for Muhammadu Buhari of APC that won with 15,191,847 while Alh. Atiku Abubakar got 11,262,978 votes.
Now, the youths should flash back and quietly ponder about what they have achieved through out these years politically. While analyzing 1999-2019 elections. The questions to ask: Is there any personal benefit or collective progress to your family and especially the society at large from your political participation or comradeship?.
What are you currently doing toward 2023 election?. Would you just sit waiting for the time and be the usual Campaign guy/lady or even the brainwashed supporter that argue and post on social media for politicians through out the campaigning/electioneering period; only for election to come and go without having any relevance or influence on either the policy making process or the makers of the policy?.
Are you among those that still believe joining politics or politicians is corruption? Or you still believing that politics of money, religious sentiment, party extremism, regional choice, tribal, ethnocentrism and other affiliation will ever favor the Youths?.
Do you still understand why the youths are yet to have any reasonable value in governance? or why we are never considered any important in the budget, or respected in decision making, or given any capacity, or our voices be heared and treated as a critical stakeholders?.
Mr Man wake up!. Miss Lady wise up!. ‘Sitdon dey luk, na so you go dey old with no added value after every 4 years’. Your activism, integrity, calculations, religion, consciousness, hopes and aspirations are limited if you are not part of the decision making process or the “Clique!”.
Yes!, you either be part of the makers of the ‘National Decision’ or be part of who they know and respect; if not you’re wasting your time, energy, resources and even your life may be meaningless or wasted as time goes. It is not about ‘Not Too Young to Run’, it is about ‘Not Too Rich and Unconnected to Contest!’.
Weather we like it or not, elections are what bring those that make the laws and the ones to execute them. What are we doing toward contesting, joining party politics, forming structures or working to influence our electoral process massively?.
We are still either shy or afraid to associate with politics and politicians yet we want to see change!. We claim to be ‘Comrades’ or ‘Men of Integrity’ but allowing the ones we call ‘dirty’ to be contesting and associating with politics. Do ‘Activists’ make laws and policies more than the ‘Partisan Politicians’?.
Do ‘Comrades’ decide the prizes of commodity in our markets?. Do imams or pastors decide when ASUU strikes are suspended?. Do your refusal to participate in politics in order to be called ‘good guy’ stops the politicians and their kids from their foreign medical and educational trips?.
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I remembered in February 2013, together with friends like Shamo in Zaria, we made plans about 2015, 2019, 2023, 2027, 2031, 2035, 2039, 2043, 2047, 2051, 2055 and 2059 elections..Exactly 48 years of pure calculations and ‘working the Plan’.
This foresight is not because we are Mad or over ambitious, but because we’re planning to be among the Nigeria’s most conscious citizens that wont just sit and watch things happening, but to be part or even make them happen.
Remember, if you don’t participate in the political process of your nation, you’re a part of the ‘National Problem’-more of a liability and a threat!. I am one of the youth to be part of politics and will continue to be.
I challenge our youths to start making plans, taking steps, mobilizing all resources, forming cliques, acting hard and working toward becoming ‘Cabals’ in the process, DON’T ALLOW 2023 TO PICK YOU BY SURPRISE. Choose any realistic political party that share similar ideology with you wisely.
If you’re an activist, ensure to be an ‘Activist for social and political change’. Even the richest business men, respected religious clerics, traditional rulers, and even the so called stubborn comrades participate in political processes; directly or indirectly.
The bitter truth is, politics breeds government, while the government controls everything and everyone, including our religions and livelihood. Don’t be fooled by speculations and ‘dustbin theories’. Work with realities to define relevance for yourself and the society.
This is just my sincere advise from me, to me and to every Nigerian Youth. I am optimistic that we would talk about this again after the 2023 election; if there’s ‘life and luck’.
Zaid Ayuba Alhaji write from Kano.
08069835881, comradezaid6@gmail.com
