NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN

Kudos to all the young people that attempted running for one office or the other and  

Kudos to the few that won and the many we don’t even know contested

Opinions flying around were;

They should have started from the grassroots

They should have done more sensitization outside social media as the bulk of Nigerian voters don’t have access to social media

They should have not gone the “aspire to acquire your desire” route but shared souvenirs to the bulk of their intended customers

This is my opinion;  

You see this not too young to run thing

It starts from the typical Nigerian home

Yes, the smallest but most significant unit of the society

The typical Nigerian father is not ready to give up his business to his 30 or 20something year old to run

The typical 20something year old is still collecting food from his mother and roof from his father

The typical Nigerian parents are not comfortable with or do not trust their children’s decisions at that age.

The typical Nigerian youth is not bold enough to stand by his or her decision

Parents are still fighting for control over their child at that age.

There is still a struggle of “It’s-my-life” versus “I’m-your-parent-I-gave-you-life”

The ones that manage to break out and be on of their own are termed the rebels and are also struggling because there’s no support from anywhere.

Multiply this scenario by 60% of the population and tell me why these fathers and mothers will trust you to rule them as a country when they don’t even trust you with their business or your career choice or even breakfast

These old ones will rather vote for their peers, or elders as per age come with experience regardless of if the experience is good, bad or stupid.

Ubong King will say if at the age of 20something, you are still eating, sleeping and waking up in your parent’s house without being productive, then your parent’s are the village people that you cast and bind every day.

I will say we should start from the grassroots (our homes)

Take charge.

If they don’t give you their businesses to run in spite of your competence, start your own.

Build capacity. Show them that you are not too young to be in charge of the affairs of your life.

I know our country doesn’t exactly make it easy for young people to thrive but aren’t we tired of just complaining?   

Take responsibility for your actions.

Build a career for yourself despite your background.  

Start cultivating the leadership attributes you would exhibit when given a chance in the future

Slowly but surely, they will come to respect your decisions and accept that you can be your own boss with or without their hawkish eyes lurking.

Then when you contest in the next four years, they will trust your decisions and be comfortable with letting you rule and voting you to office.

Do You Know?

The bulk of people that actually come out to vote are the older folks.

Majority of the youth are more involved in social media campaign than actual voting.

They would prefer to register as Ad Hoc staff or political tugs than participating in actual voting.

This is no shade, just a wakeup call.     

Love, Deedee

XOXO