Gerontocracy In Democracy: When Is Tomorrow For The Youth?

On the 31st of May 2018, the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, assented to the Bill “Not Too Young To run” This bill was to give the youth level playing ground in Nigeria’s politics.

The bill was passed by the National Assembly in 2017 to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the constitution. It was to reduce the age qualification for elective positions in government.

With this in mind, as the race for the 2023 election drew nearer, it was expected that the youths would be at the forefront of the major political parties, racing to the apex of Nigerian government.

It wasn’t that way, the youths once again were relegated to the background while the old took the starting lineup of the major parties.

The average age of Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar who are the flag bearers of the All Progressive Congress, Labour Party, and Peoples Democratic Party respectively is 68 which means the old are back to government and no space for the youths. It has been this way since the inception of the current democratic dispensation which ushered in the fourth republic in 1999 and there seem to be no sign of relinquishing power.

This means Nigeria is running a gerontocratic government in democracy.

According to dictionary.com, Gerontocracy means a state or government by old people. This is a form of government ruled by elders. They make all decisions for the country without imput from the younger generation.

Buttressing the famous quote by Plato “it is for the elder man to rule and for the younger to submit”.

In the 21st century, in a country where the youths make up the bulk of the population, The Geronts are arrogating power, living the youths to scavenge for scraps.

The youths in the country have been clamouring to rule, but the older generation have refused to budge.

“You can aspire for President but please postpone your campaign till after 2019 election.l,” says President Buhari during the signing of the not too young to run bill.

In that same regard, “If you become the president, you want to chase us from the streets? You’ll become old and be president but after me,” Tinubu who is the APC presidential candidate had said.

This begs the question, when will the youths be the leaders of tomorrow? Is it when they are sixty before they can effect policies that drive a nation to greater heights?

While delivering a keynote address at an interactive session held virtually to mark this year’s International Youth Day, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo asked African youths to dislodge older generation from leadership positions.

Obasanjo said “Unless you squeeze out those who are in office and those who want to remain in office perpetually, some after the age of 80, unless you squeeze them out, they will not want to be out.

How can the youth extrude old politicians when there is no level playing field?

The old believe that the youth lack the expertise to rule. They prefer to keep the youth as campaign managers and thugs for electioneering.

The old believe they have all the knowledge and experience to rule and develop a nation.

They seem to forget that at old age, health issues set in and the panache of the young age dwindle.

Nigeria’s presidents have had a lot of health issues and some have been fatal.

President Yaradua died in office due to health complications, Buhari spent some months in London hospitals and now, Tinubu who is a front runner in the next election has had to spend months in London hospitals.

Amnesia, stroke, cardiac issues amongst other geriatric problems set in at old age, limiting the impact a leader can make at that age.

Some countries like France, Finland, New Zealand, Ireland, Ukraine and Chile to name a few. Gave the youth the upper hand to drive policies in the country and the results have been stellar.

It is time for the Nigerian youth to rule.

The youths are the leaders of tomorrow and the tomorrow is now because if today is destroyed by the old, what would the youths hold for tomorrow.

The 21st century is about science and technology. We have gone past the age of abacus and ludo.

Nigeria needs a technocrats who can bring the vernal freshness of the land.

A vibrant youth who is ready to be the president for change. Change in the health, education and other critical sectors, not a man who sees the apex as a long time ambition and dream.

Someone who thinks digital economy in this age of robotics and satellite driven development not someone who believes in crude only and chase clouds in the name of corruption.

 

No doubt, the older generation in some ways have helped the country develop. But it is high time they become elder statesmen with the experiences the youth can draw from. It is high time gerontocracy is exterminated from Nigeria politics.

Nelson Mandela said “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”