Former governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, has called for a holistic legislative framework that guarantees youth quota across all levels of government.
Ohakim made the call yesterday in a statement in Abuja.
Ohakim, in a statement, titled ‘The Nigerian Youth and the Future of Our Democracy: 2025 Democracy Day Message,’ noted that true democracy is not just representation by proximity, but participation by inclusion.
“True democracy is not only the right to vote, but the right to be voted for.
“We cannot continue to pay lip service to youth inclusion. We must build real structures that enable and sustain it.
“Let us enshrine it in our constitution that young people must sit at the table where decisions are made — not just as praise singers, not just as aides, but as equals in vision and responsibility,” he said.
He observed that Nigeria is a country where over 70 percent of the population is under 35.
“This demographic reality is not a burden; it is instead a blessing, a reservoir of talent, energy, creativity and transformative power.
“Today, I speak not only as a former governor, but as a father, patriot and a firm believer in the boundless potentials of our youth.”
He commended Nigerian youths for their entrepreneurial and managerial skills in sectors of the economy.
“From the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Act to the #EndSARS movement, young Nigerians have proven that they are not passive recipients of change, but active agents of transformation.
“They have organised, spoken truth to power, innovated in the technology space, created jobs, driven the creative industry and sustained the economy in many unacknowledged ways.
“And so, on this Democracy Day, I challenge our political leaders, institutions and parties: let us move beyond tokenism.
“Let us intentionally mainstream youths voices in policy-making, governance and nation-building.”
Ohakim, therefore, urged them to always be ready to hold the leaders accountable.
“To our youths, I say: the future is not tomorrow; it is now.
“Engage. Organise. Learn. Lead. Hold us accountable.
“Nigeria is your inheritance — you must protect, rebuild and reimagine it,” he concluded.
