Ahead 2019, Stranded makes case for youth in politics

Dipo Mohammed’s new book, Stranded, bemoans gerontocracy in Nigeria’s governance structure and highlights why more youth need to become active in Nigeria’s political space.

AS politicians prepare for the 2019 general election with more youth showing interest in elective offices, political analyst, Dipo Mohammed, has written a book advocating for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s political space.

Entitled ‘Stranded’, the book seeks to promote conversation in favour of youth representation in politics. It paints different scenarios that align with the possibility of youth leadership in a rather complex socio-political society whilst focusing on themes including youth identity, psychological competence, gender equality and good moral conduct.

Explaining why he wrote the book, Mohammed disclosed that ‘Stranded’ was written against the background of the changes that have occurred with young Nigerians based on government decisions.

He said, “There has not been a much deliberate effort in capacity building for young Nigerians through government actions. It is commendable that despite that, some exceptional young Nigerians are at the fore of making a difference in our polity. We need to build long-term political structures that young Nigerians can ride on from the grassroots to the top so that youths can have more stake even in the mainstream political parties. The concern is to ensure that we have a different approach that can resolve this rather multifaceted situation ensuring that youths are perceived as viable assets”

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Mohammed added that, “I believe that more young Nigerians should join the campaign while others show more support.  Not just for the presidential race but in every aspect of governance. Our participation in politics is very paramount. It is the only way that we can make our stance known and applicable on the various issues that are of concern to us now and in future. We need to set an agenda of how we ought to live and not live by how older politicians believe we should live. It is also important to state that this new movement should involve a lot of young women as the female gender has not been well represented in Nigerian politics compared to their male counterpart.”

Some young Nigerians who have indicated interest in contesting the presidency include the motivational speaker, FelaDurotoye, activist and publisher of online news platform, Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore and the CEO of Skylar Inc., Ahmed Buhari.

The signing into law of the ‘Not too young to run’ bill recently by President Muhammadu Buhari has further strengthened the youth quest in aspiring for political leadership positions.