Not Too Young To Run in Ekiti: Fayemi did not get the memo! by Buchi Obichie (Opinion)
Editor’s note: In this somewhat satirical piece, the writer, Buchi Obichie, stylishly takes Kayode Fayemi to task for his choice of running mate for the July 14 Ekiti gubernatorial election. And in light of the recently signed Not Too Young To Run bill, she wonders why the former minister chose a 74-year-old man, instead of a young person.
Since I was a child, people have been drumming into my ears that the future belongs to the youths. From my primary school teachers to university lecturers; they all said this: “Buchi, study hard, work hard, your generation will lead this country!”
Well, I am now an adult – women don’t tell their ages…lol – yet, I am still waiting for my turn! In this ripe age of mine, my father and grandfather’s generation are still ruling! Yet, people still say the youths are the leaders of this country!
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The president recently signed the Not Too Young To Run bill into law, which reduces the age at which one can seek political office. We are glad…but not naïve. See, we know that this bill cannot just change the status quo like a magic wand; and one politician, a former member of the president’s cabinet, just provided proof of that.
Kayode Fayemi, former minister of mines and steel, also a former governor of Ekiti state who now wants to return back to that position, has picked a 74-year-old baba as his running mate!
I was only just wondering what Kayode Fayemi ‘forgot’ in the Ekiti Government House which he wanted to go back and reclaim, when the former minister pulled off this stunt! What was he thinking?
At 74, this ‘baba’ should be resting in his country home and giving inspiring speeches in his free time; not being the number 2 man in a state!
I know that people would say that age should not be a determinant for effective leadership; but I beg to differ when it comes to Nigeria. There is such a brain drain among many current politicians who are still in their 50s and 60s, that one should not risk putting this country’s life in the hands of another old man - no pun intended!
Ask most of these people when they even last picked up a book to read; and you would be shocked at the responses –that’s if they would be sincere enough to give honest answers. Even pose questions about common challenges facing the nation and ask them to proffer solutions, and they would start ‘transmitting’ responses that have no bearing to the issue at hand.
I just hope that this one can even remember the words of the national anthem, and would not fall asleep at a State Executive Council meeting – that is if Fayemi wins!
I am not trying to be rude oh – as a small girl that I am – but I am just stating the obvious.
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But what am I saying; is this the first time this has happened? Did they not send that other 83-year-old ‘baba’ to the USA to become our ambassador? That one is even older than my father! Even Mr President, how old is he again? And he has now begged us to postpone our campaigns till after 2019; meaning Not Too Young To Run has been signed, but for the presidency, it has to take a back seat…for now!
I know that politicians have debts to pay; and this is usually reflected in their appointees. Maybe this is the price Fayemi has to pay to someone - maybe oh! However, could he not have asked for a younger person? For the love of the Almighty, can these politicians not settle for young, agile, intelligent people instead?
Let me tell you ehn, to a large extent, people (mostly outside the country) treat the Buhari presidency with some level of respect, because of the vice president. I know that Osinbajo has made so many people – including myself – angry lately; but truth be told, many still consider him as the one bright spot in this administration.
Why?
The man has a young mind…and that’s probably so because he is not yet a ‘baba’. If Osinbajo was the one who went on that trip to London, he would not have called my brethren lazy. I tell you. And if he was the one who went to Germany, he would not have had the mind to say Aunty Dolapo belongs to ‘the other room’.
Ask Osinbajo the current GDP figures of the country, or Nigeria’s current foreign relations policy, and I am sure he would be able to answer you from his sleep.
Don’t take a young mind – and a young person - for granted!
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At 30, Donald Duke was already a commissioner. At 34, he was a member of the National Economic Intelligence Committee and concurrently a member of the National Economic Council. At 37, he was governor of Cross River; and at 45, Duke was basically retired and pensionable!
Maybe that’s why he was able to achieve so much in Cross River!
The ‘bobo’ had a mind that functioned with the times. That’s why he could implement the N50 million monthly savings policy in the state, and dream up the Obudu Cattle Ranch and Tinapa. As governor, Duke was Y2K compliant; and was not analogue-functioning in a digital era! That’s the kind of vigour we expect from those in elected office!
There are so many young, talented individuals all around the country; and these youths are standing ready to lead this country to greater heights. Pick from this pool!
Dear Fayemi, if you did not get the #NotTooYoungToRun memo before, you still have a little while before the election. Is it too late to pick someone else?
This opinion piece was written by Buchi Obichie.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng.
#NotTooYoungToRun: Nigerian youths react to President Buhari's gesture - on Legit.ng TV:
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