Former Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, has urged Nigerian leaders to move beyond symbolic gestures and actively include young people in the processes of policy-making, governance, and national development.
In a Democracy Day statement titled “The Nigerian Youth and the Future of Our Democracy,” Ohakim emphasized the need for a comprehensive legislative framework that mandates youth representation across all levels of government.
He noted that despite constituting over 70% of Nigeria’s population, youths remain largely excluded from power structures, often limited to peripheral roles as aides or cheerleaders rather than equal stakeholders.
“Democracy has danced around our youth without embracing them,” Ohakim said. “We must confront this paradox — a nation of youth governed by the aged; a republic with vast potential shackled by a failure to invest in its future.”
Describing the youth as “the soul of Nigeria” and “torchbearers of our democratic future,” the former governor said the nation can no longer afford to pay lip service to youth inclusion. He called on political leaders and institutions to shift from tokenism to meaningful integration of young voices in decision-making.
“True democracy is not just the right to vote but also the right to be voted for,” he said. “It’s not merely about proximity to power, but about genuine participation and shared responsibility.”
Ohakim pointed to the Not Too Young To Run Act and the #EndSARS movement as evidence of young Nigerians’ capacity to lead, innovate, and drive change, especially in the areas of technology, entrepreneurship, and the creative economy.
“Let us enshrine youth quotas in our Constitution,” he said. “Let young people sit at the table not just as praise singers, not just as aides, but as equals — in vision and responsibility.”
To Nigeria’s youth, he issued a call to action: “The future is not tomorrow; it is now. Engage. Organize. Learn. Lead. Hold us accountable. Nigeria is your inheritance — you must protect, rebuild, and reimagine it.”
He also appealed to older generations to create space for emerging leaders.
“Legacy is not built by hoarding power, but by empowering others. Let us mentor, not muzzle. Let us open doors, not close them,” he said.
As Nigeria marks Democracy Day, Ohakim called for a renewed national commitment to the ideals of June 12 — freedom, inclusion, justice, and equity — with deliberate focus on empowering the youth.
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