Ahead of the 2027 elections, Valentine Ozigbo, the founder of the Valiant Movement and a former candidate for governor of Anambra State, has warned Nigerian youths that the country’s future cannot be fully dependent on the same generation of leaders.
The comments were delivered by Ozigbo in an interview with ARISE News, where he discussed Nigeria’s political future and the contribution of youth to significant change.
According to Ozigbo, rather than waiting for well-known leaders to address the country’s issues, young Nigerians need to take more responsibility for determining its destiny.
“I don’t think Tinubu, Obi, and Kwankwaso are all that different; they are Nigeria’s problem. He remarked, “I have given up on the older generations.”
He continued, “I am saying this because the younger generation needs to wake up and stop outsourcing their destiny to people who have, in some cases, contributed to Nigeria’s problems while expecting them to fix it.”
He believes that young people should not rely solely on politicians from the elder age since they have a crucial role to play in reconstructing the nation.
“Young people need to be reminded that they are ultimately responsible for rebuilding our nation. Ozigbo said, “I don’t think the older generation can lead the kind of change Nigeria needs.”
Many of Nigeria’s present problems, according to the former governorship candidate, are signs of more serious structural and leadership shortcomings.
“A lot of the difficulties we talk about today are signs of more serious issues. We need to consider the root causes of problems like fluctuating exchange rates, inflation, growing insecurity, and other economic issues, he stated.
They are frequently linked to a reduction in civic engagement, inadequate leadership, and poor governance. Even so, these are signs of a deeper issue that has developed over time.
Ozigbo voiced alarm over the nation’s worsening security situation, characterizing it as a sign of a more serious social problem.
“Even a two-year-old child can be abducted at this point,” he bemoaned.
Additionally, he said that one of the main obstacles keeping competent Nigerians from running for office is the high expense of political engagement.
The first obstacle is the massive sum of money needed to get involved in politics. For seats like the Senate or the House of Representatives, people can spend up to ₦150 million simply to obtain a party ticket, he claimed.
He claims that the financial requirements of the political process frequently deter eligible people from taking part and can jeopardize those who go on to become candidates.
“A system that deters competent and well-meaning people is created when the cost of entering politics is so high. Ozigbo continued, “The pressures and compromises involved can radically transform someone by the time they emerge as a candidate, even if they start the process with good intentions.
According to him, significant change in Nigeria will necessitate increased youth involvement in politics, more robust institutions, and a leadership culture that prioritizes skill over money.
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