The National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC Dr Muiz Banire, SAN has challenged youths who are aspiring for elective political office in Nigeria not to succumb to intimidation and the touted high cost of prosecuting elections in the country.
Banire, who is the convener of the United Action for Change, UAC, a fast growing public policy and political pressure said this on Thursday in Lagos at the opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the United Action For Change Youth Leadership Training Programme.
The 3-day residential training for budding young leaders where hundreds of youths had been trained started in 2016.
The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON chairman designate averred that money is usually by the entrenched political class to wade off vibrant, capable young aspirants charging the youths the disregard the scare.
He urged interested aspirants to throw in the hat into the political space and marshal out their agenda and convince the electorate of their capacity to deliver if elected.
“It is just a scare. Just like they will scare you that politics is rough, don’t move near it. That is a way of discouraging people from getting in there. I believe we are even getting into a level where with your ideological leaning, delivery and campaign, you can even convince the electorate now”, he said.
According to him, individual pedigree has beginning to count in elections adding that the end of an era of money politics is near. Banire said social media platforms should be actively engaged for greater visibility and impact by the younger aspirants to mitigate the cost of publicity.
“Beyond the political platforms, individual pedigree is beginning to count. And you must take advantage of that. The good news is that unlike in those days when you need a lot of money for campaign that you have to go house to house to do campaign.
“Social media to a large extent is now available for you free of charge to convince a lot of people about who you are and your capacity and capability. Money to certain extent is becoming more de-emphasized. We have even seen for example, in the last 2015 elections, that money is beginning to be shamed. We see it in Ondo.
On the seemingly lack of capacity of some youths, Banire argued that it is the responsibility of the older generation especially the elite to ensure that they youths are adequately equipped for the tasks ahead.
He said, “ I believe they are capable. Even if they are not, like I remarked in my speech, gradually we are building their capacity. It is a duty, we all owe them that duty to ensure that they reach their full potential. We have that responsibility to fill that capacity vacuum for them.
“They are the biggest stakeholders in the Nigerian project, they form the larger percentage of voters and they are the people that should be at the fore-front driving the process.
“We have tried as much as possible to mobilize resource persons for them both within the government and outside. The private sector is also involved. We have some organizations which are providing support for the youths. Some of our members also contribute to ensure that they take off.
“And I can confirm to you that the experience has been amazing in the last three years that the training started. I am fulfilled that many of them are making great impact in different spheres of life”.
