“There Is No Father Christmas In Politics” – PDP National Chairman-Elect Tells Nigerian Youths

The National Chairman-elect of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu has told Nigerian youths that they won’t get power given to them on a platter of gold in 2023.

According to Ayu, the youths need to understand that the older generation will not just hand over political power to them if they (youths) don’t get involved in active politics.

The incoming PDP National Chairman said the political future only belongs to youths who grab the opportunity by becoming active in politics.

He spoke at his Maitama residence in Abuja during the weekend when he played host to a delegation of Benue youths, under the auspices of Benue Transition Mentees (BTM).

Going down memory lane, Ayu recounted how he got active in politics despite the presence of older politicians and subsequently emerged as the Senate President of Nigeria at the age of 40.

He said: “We often hear that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but that is not automatic. The future really belongs to youths who follow their passions, who prepare themselves and who go after what they want.

“There are youths who are doing drugs, who are into all sorts of vices like kidnapping, prostitution, what they call Yahoo-yahoo. Some make up the battalions in the banditry ravaging the country. The future does not belong to these.

“Organise yourselves, mobilize your large constituency and go for what you want, including public office. There is no Father Christmas in politics.

“Sometimes, young people forget that many of us started out on this route as young men too. I became a graduate at 23, got my PhD at 31, was a senior lecturer at 37, and was elected to the Senate at 39 where my colleagues made me Senate President at 40. I can say that for others too.

“And in many of these outings, we successfully competed against older, more experienced people. So, when youths say, ‘Give us a chance,’ I tell them, ‘Chance is not always a gift. Power is never given on a platter or in a parcel.’ So, mobilize and take your chance as we march to 2023.”