Date: 2014-09-18

I will start this piece by making some conceptual clarifications. What is ideology? And what is reason? Ideology, in basic understanding, means "a set of political beliefs", while reason connotes "the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgements by a process of logic."

If I have to give examples to support the above definitions, I will say 'ideology' is when I simply believe that the current political leadership in Kwara State is what we need and nothing more. It is ideological for me to think that the political space in the State is closed, and that some people are not qualify to vie for political offices because they have not been involved in politics since democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999. Of course ideology thrives on mere ideas. So, when I form ideas in my head that a 30 year old guy will not have the requisite political experience to lead, then I am merely being ideological.

But what about reason? Reason thrives on my ability to use my head, to think and arrive at a most valid judgement and decision. So when I presume that a young man (whether 30 or less) who has vision, intellect, a sense of direction and knowledge of the political processes can be a better leader than someone who has spent years in office, simply ticking the hours and marking the years; then I am being reasonable.

Another marked difference between 'ideology' and 'reason' is that while the former is a sort of perception created by others, the latter is something one arrived at by oneself after a rigorous exercise of deep thinking and reflection. So, while the political class would seek to create a gerontocratic ideology based simply on age and long years in office, I will lift myself above this pedestrian understanding of politics and governance, and educate myself (just by reasoning) that a young man is not only a repository of fresh ideas but also a bastion of energy and courage.

While the supposed elders are now famous for spending years in office without achieving anything tangible; youthful energy, aspiration, sound intellect and courage are qualities that we should be more than ready to give an experimental chance of just four (4) years and see where they lead us.

Having said that, and without apology, I think our leaders and elders, if you may, have wallowed in the cesspit of failure in the last 15 years since Nigeria nay Kwara returned to democratic rule. Of course it is not that they have not recorded the sort of achievements that they considered grandiose, but how much the "achievements" have impacted our lives as young men is still a function of academic exercise. Researchers are still out on this and they are yet, if ever they will, return their verdict.

I will say that the failed elders and "seasoned" politicians have successfully marketed their ideology of "we have the experience", election after election, and they have always succeeded. The youths are still being referred to as leaders of tomorrow, even when most of them (the so-called tomorrow's leaders) are already leaders and big players in their industries and vocation. While so many young men own thriving businesses, nurtured and operated with their youthful zeal, intellect and courage, they are still regarded as "kindergarten" brains whose revolutionary ideas and creativity are not needed by their Country and its 'Council of Elders'.

But do Nigerian youths of today, many of whom have recorded unprecendent success in their private lives, still deserved to be called leaders of tomorrow. This is a question whose answer can only be determined based on whether one is using 'ideology' or 'reason' as benchmark.

However, I am very certain that the youths of today are not merely partakers but major stakeholders in Nigeria's fledgling democracy. If this be so, which I am sure it is, then it is only logical that we need a larger number of youth in political forums and platforms to represent the aspirations of this vast section of our society. While it is true that we need the experience and wisdom of the 'ideology-pushers'(long time seasoned politicians who are now in their twilight years), the lateral thinking to get things done, which the youths possess will offer a whole new perspective to the many problems that Nigeria currently faces.

With its huge demographic advantage, somewhere around 70% of Nigeria's total population, the average age of a Legislator in the country is currently 50 years. In a 469-member strong parliament, there are probably only 15 who are below 40 years and I am not sure if we have any member who is below 35 years. Is this Representative democracy? I really don’t think or believe so.

It is antithetical to logic that a Nation that lay claims to practising democracy would have majority of its population who are below 40 electing a majority of people above 50 to power? As youths, are we really satisfied with the way our Nigeria is being governed? Should it not bother us that at the age people generally take retirement and rest, our politicians actually become eligible to be at the helm of affairs? Why is it so that people below 40 years are considered as political ‘wizkids’?

The National Assembly is the highest elective law-making body of the country, yet the largest constituency (the youths) who are mostly impacted by the laws are not adequately represented in the process of making them. May be this is our fault as youths, because we have consistently been led to use ideology rather than reason in making our choices during elections.

Today, instead of supporting fellow youths who show interest in politics, we would rather side with those who have made a career in politics because their fathers, grandfathers or uncles or friends did so. The youths of Kwara are their own worst enemies, and this is why we have remained deprived of so many things; because the people who fall within our circumference of life and who should understand our pain are not given the support they need to represent us.

Instead of pulling our numbers together and supporting a member of our generation, who we can question and vote out if he misbehaves, we keep following those who have a meteoric rise in their political careers because they have the backings of an influential godfather. We are accustomed to watching the political ambition of fellow youths die a rather slow and painful death, because we think the status quo will one day favour us. But for how long do we have to wait?

In the 2015 Kwara election, we need to ensure that reason prevail over a 'sit tight' ideology. We need to develop a critical mass of young, honest and successful politicians so that they can become a motivational role model for others to follow in no distant future.

Many today think I am supporting the aspiration of Alhaji Sherif Shagaya, a young man seeking to represent us in the House of Representatives, because of some ulterior motives. But the truth is that any young man on the ballot paper, who has the kind of credential of success that Sherif has, will always win my support and ultimately my vote.

Like I have said elsewhere, I am yearning for a new political culture where young men and women would come to give a new meaning to politics, and offer a generational hope to the citizens that are already getting accustomed to the betrayal of the social contract by the old generation of politicians and leaders. This is the very reason I am supporting Sherrif Shagaya, because I see in him an opportunity to build a youth-led political movement that is not only youthful in outlook but also in content. I am supporting the 34-year old Sheriff because I see in him a young man who will expectedly be a custodian of fresh ideas and youthful aspirations. We definitely need more young men like Sherif in Kwara politics, who aside a very impressive family name, also have a good mix of energy and experience.

Yes, demonstrations and protests can raise awareness and focus attention on our grievances as youths, but ultimately, the power to bring change rests with those who sit in Parliament. And this is why we have to support one of us. Somebody has to take the first step; and this time that 'somebody' happens to be Sherif Shagaya. We need to offer him all the support we can muster. His victory will definitely be a step towards opening a door that we have not been able to approach all these years, not to talk of placing our hands on the lever.

I have not heard of any other young man, apart from Sherif, who has indicated interest in contesting the 2015 elections. I will be glad if there are others. But if Sherif Shagaya is the only young person vying for an elective post next year, we would do well as youths to give him our full support and pray that by 2019 we find on the ballot paper more names of youngsters who can make our State and country a better place to live in. 2015 is definitely a year of choice, and I chose REASON over an IDEOLOGY that has yielded unemployment and poverty for the majority of us (youths).

This is not just a political journey for Alhaji Sherif Shagaya. It is a mission for every young man and woman in Kwara State. It is a mission that will require us to think of the greater good of all rather than the human foibles of the bearer of this collective dream. If there was ever a time we need to look beyond the human errors or frailties of Sherif Shagaya, either as an individual or as an indigene of the state, now is the time. The political mission embarked upon by Sherif is a collective one that we all must own. All we need do is to think about it, share in it and make a firm decision to realise it. Walking and working together, we can declare that IT'S TIME for Kwara youths to own their dreams.

Abdullahi (@mofolohunsho) writes from Abuja