Kwara Politics: Lack of Camaraderie Support Is The Major Setback For Youth Involvement – Group

BEING A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE ROUNDTABLE DIALOGUE IN COMMEMORATION OF COMR. IBRAHIM SHERIFF (GOLD)’s BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY, TAGGED “YOUTH INCLUSION IN GOVERNANCE AND INEQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF POLITICAL POWER AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN KWARA CENTRAL”, SINCE 1999 TILL DATE, HELD AT FOREST GUEST INN, GRA, ILORIN ON THE 27TH JUNE, 2021.

PREAMBLE:

The program, which witnessed convergence of no fewer than 56 selected young persons from Ilorin South and other local governments, especially in Kwara Central and across political divides, commenced at exactly 3:45pm.

In a brief opening remark, Comr. Ibrahim Sheriff (Gold) stressed the need not to limit the criteria for youth inclusion in governance and decision making on just the age, but also, substance and ability of such young person to deliver in public offices must be taken into cognizance. He noted that engagement of engagement of young people with substance and capacity to deliver will inspire confidence in young people and give impetus to youth inclusion in politics, governance and decision making, while doing otherwise will only demarket other youths willing to lead.

Speaking on inequitable distribution of political power among Kwara Central LGs, Ibrahim noted that Ilorin South local government in particular and Ilorin East and Asa in general has, since the return of democracy in 1999 experienced skewness in distribution of political power in favor of Ilorin West. He however sought for a better deals for Ilorin South and other local governments within the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

DISCUSSIONS:

The gathering commended the idea of the roundtable discussion and pushed the following issues, among others:

1. That the agitation for inclusion of youths with substance may not see the light of the day, if youths with capacity and capability to deliver are not showing interest in active participation and in politics and political activities. The gathering noted that youths with substance must be ready to also take the risk of getting themselves involved. If at all there’s need to change the narrative for good, we cannot sit and watch, and expect to be handed power to lead the affairs of the people.

2. The gathering also noted that the participation of Ilorin West local government in societal politics from time immemorial surpasses that of the three other local governments in the Senatorial District and that, other local governments have to sit up and build consensus, as equitable distribution of political power is not guaranteed in the Nigeria Constitution.

3. The gathering noted the lack of camaraderie support among young people aspiring to lead, emphasizing the need for the youth populace to give total support to anyone among them contesting political positions, noting that older generations would not also want to leave the scene on a platter of gold.

4. The gathering also emphasized the need for young people to know their rights, demand fairness, transparency and accountability, noting that good governance goes beyond roads, classrooms construction etc, but how efficiently is public resource being utilized. It also noted the need to deemphasize financial resource constrains as impediments to political aspirations of young persons. In as much as youths are ready to build a wall around ourselves, all that is required is our ability to identity those with capacity and channel to convince the people to win the race.

5. The gathering called on responsible youths to rise up to the challenge of leadership and never hesitate to speak truth to power, even if they are proponents of the power that be in the interest of posterity. The dialogue urged young persons to never allow artificial political barriers pitch us against ourselves, such that we can unite for a common goal, regardless of the political divides we may find ourselves. Since there is no permanent friends of enemies in politics.

6. The dialogue agreed that Kwara’s political paradigm has shifted slightly but not to the desired status. The gathering however sues for ideological politicking and social adventure among the youth populace, that will allow sharing of quality ideas and notes comparison that enhances personal, political and social development.

7. The gathering also bemoaned the poor level of political awareness, orientation and sensitization, even among young people. Thereby calling for serious awareness ahead of future elections, so that we ‘purchase the future’ of youth inclusion and political equality that we seek with our present moves, beyond the talks. The gathering noted that the problem was created yesteryears and requires commitment to change the narratives for good.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The convergence unanimously agreed that youth with substance and capabilities must be ready to speak truth to authority, actively participate in politics and also contest for positions whenever an opportunity of such present itself.

2. The gathering called on other local governments in Kwara Central; Asa, Ilorin East and Ilorin South, to develop serious interest in an attempt to steer the representative position of the Kwara Central Senatorial S
District.

3. The convergence calls for massive political awareness, sensitization and orientation, especially among youths and in the rural areas, on the need for everyone to get involved in politics and do so rightly.

4. The convergence also called on Kwara youths across political divides to unite and strike a balance between our political interests, protection of our common developmental interest as young people and the progress of Kwara state, that we can have a State to be proud of. It was also unanimously agreed, that such convergence should be happening intermittently.

Signed

Shafihi Abdulrasheed Oladimeji,
Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee

Yusuf Mutiu Olaitan,
Secretary, Communique Drafting Committee