PDP And The Phobia For Youths
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is the largest political party in Nigeria today. Without mincing words, the party is the widest in out-reach in the Nigerian Federation, as its members could be found in the remotest part of the country; from East to West, from North to South-South.
Whether the party has lived up to the masses expectations is left for the populace to measure if its manistestoe has affected the fortunes of ordinary Nigerians, since it assumed office at the National level at the beginning of the present Civilian administration in 1999.
Since fourteen years now, there is no gain saying the obvious that Democracy in Nigeria has been deepening, though with some hiccups, and learning curves, with the PDP dictating the pace of developments in the country, since it occupies the highest position in the land.
However, it is worthy of note that after these long years on the saddle of Leadership at the centre, it seems the PDP has phobia for the new generation of politicians, who are supposed to be the inheritors of political leadership, from the departing old school.
Unfortunately, the PDP is not doing anything in this regard to encourage the new breed and prepare them for the challenges ahead as the country approaches the jet age.
Apart from President Goodluck Jonathan, who could be said to be a “Youth” and was foisted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was keen in handing the nation over to the new generation, President Jonathan himself does not help matters as he seems to have lost confidence in his generation, and prefers the ageing cadre of octogenarians.
A look at the PDP top hierarchy will convince any doubting Thomas that President Jonathan has phobia for his generation.
The Chairman of the PDPs Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Aneni, is nearing Eighty years of Age, the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a Governor about twenty years ago, and hitting Eighty years too.
Just recently, the party nominated Alhaji Umaru Diko as the Chairman of Disciplinary Committee of the PDP. Diko was a Minister in the 80’s when President Shehu Shagari was incharge of Nigeria.
Does it mean that the PDP is not abreast of what is happening in the global arena where younger elements are taking over all spheres of leadership in their countries?
PDP should have a rethink, and stop the “youth phobia” and look towards the new generation for sustenance of Nigerian’s future, than these octogenarians, who ought to have retired since and handover to the younger ones.
If the Anenis, Tukurs, Dikos of this world are occupying prominent positions in Nigeria in 2013, where do they want their grand children to be employed?
No wonder, unemployment is ravaging Nigeria. The truth is that retired old Horses have refused to go home, and rest, while their children take over from them. PDP should watch it.
It is quite unfortunate that this “youth phobia” has taken a new dimension in the administration Goodluck Jonathan seen by many as a youth. Haba!
No More Carrot Approach to Boko Haram
I want to use this medium to advise President Goodluck Jonathan and others who are in the corridors of power to stop the carrot approach that has been employed against boko haram insurgence and employ full military force/approach in order to dismantle and stop abruptly the activities of the Islamic extremists to move the country forward and to also better the lots of the poor Nigerians who wallow in abject penury.
Although, the president and his team are putting up frantic efforts to bring the activities of boko haram militancy to an end, but the more carrot measure they adopt, the more fierce the insurgents become over their hostility on innocent and defenseless Nigerians.
Negatively, the emergence of the boko haram Islamic sect has taken a toll on people’s lives. Properties, have been destroyed, and businesses, academic and religious activities have been drastically reduced or disrupted, while some Muslims and Christians have and are beginning to relocate from the North East mainly.
The boko haram insurgency has no reason for being hostile on innocent Nigerians. Boko haram told the federal government to grant it amnesty and compensate them financially, just as they did to the Niger Delta militants whose objectives of indulging in militancy against the federal and state governments were clearly stated out.
Let the federal government therefore declare total war against boko haram if it want peace, economic, academic development to reign in Nigeria.
By Ikenna Orioha
