How Youths And Women Can Break Into Politics In Nigeria – Akeredolu

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has told youths in Nigeria that the older generation may not hand over political power to them willingly.

He told the youths to ignore the current domination of the older generation in the country’s politics and intentionally get involved in politics and governance.

Akeredolu submitted that without their active participation, there is no way they can be relevant in Nigeria’s politics.

The Governor made the submission while speaking at the Ondo State Progressive Youth Stakeholders Round-Table Discussion held at the International Culture and Event Centre, in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.

The event, which was themed, “Patriotic Partisanship; Driving an Agenda of Inclusion and Collective Growth” was put together by a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) known as the Pentagon Movement Group.

He said, “Nigeria is desperately in need of a paradigm shift in the ideology of what political offices should be and birthing the new age of the Nigerian politician to focus primarily on the development of Nigeria and adding value to the social, economic, political and developmental facets of the country.

“There is need to recognize the mindset of the Nigerian youth and come up with different approaches and means of engagement that target the management of their diverse perspectives.”

Apart from the youths, Akeredolu also charged women to be more actively involved in politics, noting that, “as the feminism movement continues to sweep through the world, Nigeria inclusive, we cannot be an exception.”

He said his government has already started taking affirmative action by involving more women in politics and political positions.

“I am glad to disclose that our administration has been taking steps towards ensuring that more women take up political roles by insisting on a minimum 25 percent representation of women both in government appointments and in the party structure.

“As more and more women begin to show interest in active politics, there is the need to continue to identify the pitfalls, limitations and hindrances preventing women from taking up critical roles within the political space.

“Of particular interest is the role of the young women in politics and in general, the upgrading of the roles of women from the African traditional beliefs to the one that is involved in decision making and other impactful political activities,” he stressed.