In December 2006, far away in United State of America, the Governor of Kaduna State, as then Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai caused a stirred before audience during the launch of the “Heart of Africa” project in Washington DC that only Nigerians within the age bracket of 44- 55 will be elected as president come April 2007. Mr. El-Rufai went further and stated that Nigerians are not ready to elect those that are old and run short of ideas to lead the country. Indeed, late Malam Umaru Musa Yar’adua of blessed memory, age 55 then emerged as the President. How times flies, in less than ten years of Mal. El-Rufai’s caveat, he ends up as one of the arrow heads that drafted President Muhammadu Buhari, age 72, who is not of his own generation to the race which he emerged victorious in the 2015 general elections. Whatever led him to change his mind in 2015 will be a story to be told by him another day.
Though, when it comes to generations, features and qualities are often referred to as the collective persona. Not everyone buys into generational theory.
It will be hypocritical for anyone to say no Nigerian is eyeing the country’s top job or ready to challenge President Muhammad Buhari in 2019. The body language of politicians in both the ruling party (APC) and opposition parties is apparent testimony that they are ready to throw their hats into the ring. Based on the recent Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 general election timetables, by end of August 2018, all the Political Parties must has conducted their primary election for the Presidential election. For example, if the incumbent President chooses to contest, he will be 76 years old before the Presidential election next year. But one honest fact we must not shy from is even If PMB choose to contest, that shouldn’t be a raison d’être to those whose generation Malam El-Rufai regarded as his in 2006 i.e. Generation X (1961-1981) to give a shot to the nation top job irrespective of political platform they choose to contest from. Today, “Generation X and Y” are the 70% of voting strength of the country. In fact, this writer is of the opinion that Nigerians from age of 40 to 65 who have distinguished themselves in the past should be courageous enough to throw their hats into the ring for the nation’s top job in 2019.
It will be fascinating to see the following Nigerians with ages between 40 and 65, namely, Barrister Babatunde Fashola, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Chief Fola Adeola (Southwest); Dr. Senator Bukola Saraki, Engineer Mustafa Bello Fnse, (Pharm) Sam Nda Isaih, Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Bar. Solomon Ewuga, Arch Yomi Awoniyi (North central); Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Mr. Donald Duke, Gov. Benedict Ayade, Chief Adams Oshimole, Dr. Hakeem Bello Osagie, Professor Pat Utomi (South-south); Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar Rtd, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Senator Ahmad Makarfi, Professor Attairu Jega (Northwest); Gov. Kashim Shettima, Gov. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwabbo, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Amb. Adamu Tafawa Balewa, (Northeast) and Gov. Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ike Ekweramdu, Mr. Peter Obi, Professor Charles Soludo, Chief Ogbonuya Onu, Dr. John Nwodo Jnr (Southeast) throw their hats into the ring for the nation’s top job in 2019. It will be an opportunity for generational shift of power from the aging to the younger generation of 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s as President, Governor’s, Ministers, Senior Special Advisers, DG’s, ED’s, MD’s, ES’s, Ambassadors and other appointees i.e. the total phase out of the older generations from power and leadership struggle with those that are young enough to be their children and grandchildren.
In Nigeria today, its undeniable fact that those that fall in the age bracket of 25 to 65 are the highly-educated Nigerians. They are today the hardest working generation in the workforce – the “workhorses of Nigeria”. In general, they are the best educated, most connected generation, courageous, hardworking, technologically astute, most informed generation, entrepreneurial, ethnically diverse and individualistic. It’s very unfortunate that too many of our political leaders are putting party before country, power before principle and cynicism before civility. The common purpose that created this great nation, which has united us in difficult moments, has gone missing. Our country is in desperate need of servant leaders, of men and women willing to kneel and embrace those who are not like them. Every member of the younger generation seeking the presidency must profess great love for our nation, not a tribal, religion or regional chauvinist.
The candidates should not only offer us grand promises about new leadership and new solutions, but a comprehensive blue print on how they will lead and turn around things for the good of the country. Our country deserves a leader that is courageous enough to select a competent member from other political parties for leadership positions. Regardless of who wins the presidency, all we want is to turn the nation around. Our country deserves a president humble enough to see leadership not as an entitlement but as a privilege. We cannot afford more false promises, slogans, theatrics and fool’s gold. Our nation has been profoundly damaged for long by a lack of civility, direction, tolerance and courage.
In order to see the transition of the nation’s leadership to younger generations, all the political parties should in 2019 adopt the age criteria as once stated by Malam El-Rufai in 2006 to enable young Nigerians age 40-65 to contest for the Office of the President (emphasis mine). The collaboration of leadership between those in age bracket of 30-65 would form an enduring partnership in leadership and administrative roles.
Yahaya, a public affair analyst, wrote this piece from Muye, Niger State.
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