The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that young people in Nigeria don’t value democracy because their expectations have not been met.

He stated that Nigeria needs a leader that can reassure the youth about democracy being the best alternative.

Mr Gbajabiamila spoke in Abuja on Monday at the opening ceremony of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative for some youth.

The initiative seeks to train 74 selected youth to develop public sector skills.

The speaker said most youth did not experience the military government and have become disillusioned with the incremental progress offered by democracy, stressing that radical changes are required.

He noted that, unlike the older generations that experienced military rule, youth are not inclined to commit to democracy.

“A significant portion of our population today are young people who have no experience of a military government and are not conditioned to see democracy as an absolute good for its own sake.

“They bear no allegiance to politics and politicians, and their judgment of governing systems and institutions is determined by whether those individuals, systems and institutions meet their expectations,” he said. Mr Gbajabiamila noted that the current attitude of youth to governance and politics is dangerous because it is not backed with knowledge.

They are not as inclined as generations before them to excuse the failures of democracy because the alternative of military rule is worse. And they will not accept incremental progress when radical reform is necessary and possible.

“There is a danger that this generation embarks on this course without the proper grounding in history, politics, and statecraft necessary to prevent unnecessary pain and worthless suffering,” he said.

To address the problem, Mr Gbajabiamila said there is a need to include youth in politics and governance by giving them a seat at the table.

“Include young people in the political and governing process. We do this by creating avenues for leadership development,” Mr Gbajabiamila stated.

He added that “we must continue our ongoing efforts to improve our electoral processes. Election outcomes must reflect the will of the people, and citizens must have confidence that they can hold political leaders accountable through the ballot box,” he said.

Speaking on the mentorship Programme, the Director General of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Study (NLDS), Abubakar Suleiman, said the institute will partner with the organisers of the programme in training and development.


He stated that the legislative arm is the most misunderstood arm of government, not just in Nigeria but around the world.

The British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, who was represented by the Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Atkinson, said young people must take advantage of the electoral process to vote for the right leaders. The diplomat urged participants to take advantage of the training and the internship to learn from the leaders. She noted that they must learn the good and the bad.

Nigeria is in the phase of another democratic transition as political parties are in the midst of campaigns ahead of the 2023 elections.

The diplomat urged participants to take advantage of the training and the internship to learn from the leaders. She noted that they must learn the good and the bad.


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/557593-why-youth-dont-value-democracy-gbajabiamila.html

The same youth the Nigerian government deprived of good government, experienced torture and deprived of the right to education, is the same youth you claim that doesn't value democracy because their expectations have not been met. The big question is; are we even practising in reality, a democratic system of government

Naija politricks has cause more harm to the youth than good, thats why we want peter obi as our next president and nothing on earth can spoil this obidient movement.

The most wonderful thing that has amazed me is listening to Nigeria politicians deliberately denying thier obvious misdeeds. One would wonder if this is not same guy that has been the speaker approving loans for this incompetent regime without a clear road map for the loan improving economy.

Is it not same speaker whose kids graduated from London school?
Why is he yabing okpata now?

How would the value it when Tinubu a grandfather, a drug pusher, a bullon van thief, still wants to lead, Tinubu must be rejected by all means

That man wey the talk like say him carry hot yam for mouth

Another Tinubu stooge trying so hard to align with the youths. Very self centered gbajabiamila.

Hear name abeg.....the sound of the name sef fit cause nightmares.

All them thiefs

Democracy is a scam in this country, politicians themselves know this..

There are certain persons that should not speak about Democracy...

Peterobi90:
There are certain persons that should not speak about Democracy...

The thing no tire you ? All this armed robbers with office and pen

toneypen247 pls drop ur number i have a job for u

Which youth is the rubberstamp stooge of the worst NASS talking about? The same country all these old brigades politicians are frustrating with their weaponisation of poverty?

Perhaps Gbaja is yet to understand political revolution the young are planning especially as the APC have enlightened the political consciousness of many Nigerians with their disastrous governance in the past 7 years.

“The passion that drove people in 2015 has dissipated. The people have understood they were lied to and we have all seen the consequences of religious manipulations. The young people have become aware of this and they are asking the right questions.

The energy in this coming election is tremendous and I am excited about the energy of the young people and their attention to the country’s election.

The era of rhetorics must be put behind Nigerians and that the electorates must sieve and interrogate the presidential candidates on their ideology, plans and governance style before making their choice..."

Okay next headline

Why Nigeria politicians value corruption

They want a better Nigeria by insulting and bullying people online !! Woke generation that Yahoo and Prostitution is their only source of income !