Give youths concession in politics, governance, lawyer urges leaders
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Mr Wale Ogunade
A Constitutional Lawyer, Mr Wale Ogunade, has said that the youths must be given concession in politics and in governance in order to prepare them for leadership positions.
Ogunade, who is also the President of Voters Awareness Initiative (VAI),said this while reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s 61st Independence Day broadcast on youth inclusion in politics and governance.
In his speech, President Buhari had said that “the youths remained propellants for our today and provide guarantees that the people would have a secure tomorrow.”
He said it was for this reason he remained focused on expanding opportunities for their participation in politics and governance.
The President noted that recent appointments of young people into positions of authority and their track record so far, had given him confidence that they needed to bring more of them into governance.
He therefore, promised to do more.
Ogunade, therefore, urged government to further open the space for youths to partake in politics and governance.
He said: “The youths have proved themselves to be useful and very important in national development.
“Especially the ones that are involved in productive activities in the economic, industry and business world.”
He, however, told NAN that there was no way the youths could be involved if they were not given any concession because of the activities of moneybags.
He noted that the law was deliberately made so that the youths would be involved in governance.
He explained that it would be an aberration to say that the youths could run or rule and yet not given the space to practice that trade.
“Therefore, the youths must not be discouraged or dissuaded from being in governance, otherwise, there would be a vacuum when it is their time.
“They must learn the ropes and must be involved at all levels of governance.
“Also, the space must be open and during the primaries, they must be given concession.
“So, l hope the space will be further opened for them to partake in politics”.
