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As the 2019 elections draw near, the move for generational power shift from older politicians to younger ones has continued to gain traction. Such agitation has been buoyed by the election last year of Emmanuel Macron (39) as President of France and also the emergence of Justin Trudean (46) in 2015 as Canada’s Prime Minister.

Most importantly is that provisions of the 1999 Constitution are being amended to reduce the age limit for specific political offices. One of such is the passage of the “Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill” also known as the Reduction of Age for Election bill, by the National Assembly, and consequent transmission of same to the president for his assent.

It allows the age qualification for the offices of the president and governor to be reduced from 40 to 35, and for Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly seats to be reduced from 30 to 25 years.

Over 100 youths aspiring for various political offices in the 2019 elections had converged on Kaduna last week to brainstorm on how to bring the youths into Nigerian politics. They just concluded a four-day training workshop organised by Youngsters Foundation, with support from the FORD Foundation, West Africa.

Consequently, several individuals have shown interest in the Presidency and other top government offices.

Sen. Baba-Ahmed, 48

Pro-Chancellor of Baze University, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed (48) has indicated his intention to run for the presidency in 2019. Baba-Ahmed, who holds two Masters Dergrees and PhD, had earlier served as elected member of the House of Representatives, and was later elected senator of the upper legislative chamber.

Baba-Ahmed, who is seeking the highest office on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also established his own university with two other companies employing over 600 people from every state of Nigeria.

An on-line platform, abusidiqu, said: “Sen Datti Baba-Ahmed has built a solid reputation in credibility known to fearlessly speak against corruption, misgovernance, and societal problems. His unquestionable credentials are only matched by his firm commitment and proven ability to deliver on promises.”

He is said to epitomise modesty and “believes presidency is a transformative engine to promote good and suppress evil for the enonomic prosperity, social security, and political stability of Nigeria as he now solemnly presents himself for 2019 Presidential Election to achieve the desired noble objectives.”

A couple of days ago, he accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of failing Nigerian youths through its inability to address the challenges in the country. In his reaction to President Buhari’s statement regarding Nigerian youths at the meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the United Kingdom, he described the comments as unfortunate.

Baba-Ahmed said the comments portend a lot of negative consequences for Nigeria’s young people, who seek to forge ahead in different fields of endeavour. He is from Zaria in Kaduna State.

Hon Ibuzo, 46

The member, representing Onitsha North II Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly; Hon. Edward Ibuzo, is also interested in running for the presidency in 2019.

Hon. Edward Ibuzo (46), a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), lamented poor performance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, describing it as a tragedy.

He wondered why “an educated, refined, well travelled young Nigerian should not govern the country.” On why he wants to rule the nation, Hon. Ibuzo said that he is a Nigerian citizen and so eminently qualified to run for any public office in Nigeria.

He said Nigeria will be better for his presidential aspiration considering the recurrent accusation of Igbo marginalization, adding that he is qualified and prepared to deliver modern governance obtained in Western countries.

The well-travelled lawmaker, who had lived in Germany, England, Canada, Netherlands, United States of America, said: “In all honesty, I am 46 years old. I was born in 1972 and after the civil war which ended in 1970 till now, we have not had any Igbo president and Igbo people are of age to run the affairs of the Nigerian nation.”

Stating why the present crop of old leaders should relinquish political power to the younger generation, he said President Muhammadu Buhari was younger than him in 1983 when he became military Head of State.

Fela Durotoye, 46

Motivational speaker and leadership trainer, Adetokubo Olufela Durotoye, (46), is one person who has formally declared his ambition to run for the Presidency, come 2019. Last February, he was at the office of the Alliance for New Nigeria, a party recently registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where he obtained membership card and declared his intention to run.

He put his intention clearly on his twitter page: “I stand here on behalf of this generation of leaders to declare that we are now willing, able; ready to serve our nation through the elective office; we are not too young to run.

“We are young, but we are strong; we are ready to deliver the quality of leadership; governance required to build a new Nigeria.

“To build the Nigeria of our dreams would require exceptional candidates who would emerge from a pool of excellent; credible aspirants chosen by the people to represent them at the general elections. And so, over the last few months, I have researched into several political parties to determine if their ideologies, vision and values resonate with mine.

“I am glad to announce that one party has resonated more with me than any other in sharing common ideology, principles and a truly democratic internal political process that is open to all to aspire…

“A party that provides a level playing field for the best candidates to emerge at all levels for Legislative and Executive offices. That party is the Alliance for New Nigeria. It Is Our Time… And together, we will deliver the future”. God Bless You all. God Bless our Alliance For New Nigeria. And May God Bless our Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Durotoye, an alumnus of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in the United States, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science with Economics, Masters degree in Business Administration (M.B.A) and a Master of Philosophy Degree (M.Phil) in Strategic Management, from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State.

Yul Edochie, 36
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie (36), has also declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2019, after his unsuccessful bid in the last Anambra State governorship election.

At the governorship election, the younger Edochie, who was the candidate of the Democratic People’s Congress (DPC), could only muster 145 votes in the race that pitched him against 36 other aspirants.

Using the auspicious moment of his birthday to make his interest known, Edochie said in a video posted on Instagram that he might seek election as Nigeria’s president in 2019.

He said: “So, it’s my birthday today, January 7, 2018. I just turned 36, so happy birthday to me. 2018 is just unfolding, we pray for more blessings so let’s just keep our fingers crossed. Who knows, I may just decide to run for president of Nigeria this time, in 2019, and I will win.”
The last of six children of veteran actor Pete Edochie, Yul attended the University of Port Harcourt where he studied Dramatic Arts.

He hails from Nteje, the headquarters of the Oyi Council Area of Anambra State

Omoyele Sowore, 47

One time Students’ Union President at the University of Lagos from 1992-1994, and CEO of Sahara Reporters is one of the youths who are latching on the clarion call. He said since the establishment of Sahara Reporters in 2006, he had used it as platform to fight corruption both in Nigeria and other African countries.

Regarding why he wants to be President, he said: ” http://themomentng.com/index.php/2018/04/20/zinox-boss-bets-on-keystone-bank/ There are three reasons why. ‘Firstly, I understand Nigeria and I have worked tirelessly for our nation’s progress. For the last 30 years, I have been an activist that has worked to build alliances across Nigeria – across all religious and ethnic groups – with one aim in mind, which is to move Nigeria forward, to protect the welfare of its great people and to help to unleash the immense creativity and capabilities of the Nigerian people. I have been tried and tested. My resume in this regard bears no dispute. Many Nigerians already know my story. My body bears the scars of arrest, detention and torture over the years. My work at Sahara Reporters has helped to safeguard our democracy and amplified voices that were hitherto unheard.

“Secondly, I have the leadership skills and the political will needed to move this nation forward. I have no godfathers. No godmothers. There are no sacred cows, snakes, monkeys or goats. In 30 years of service to this nation through principled activism, I have established a track record as a straight shooter and truth teller that operates strictly based on principles.

“When our constitutional order was in jeopardy – I worked to ensure that the legitimate transfer of power to Goodluck Jonathan occurred. Our work in 2015 to shine a light on the electoral process through real-time electoral results reporting helped the opposition led by Muhammadu Buhari to win. Between 2010 and 2011, some said I was working for Jonathan. In 2015, the same people said I was working for Buhari. What they all missed was that I work only for the Nigerian people using my conscience as a GPS- no matter whose feet are stepped upon, and regardless  of whose ox is gored, I have been an equal opportunity offender.

“Thirdly, I am a proven manager of people and resources. In 12 short years, I have worked to build a globally-acclaimed media platform whose influence stretches across the African continent and the world.” He said he is not just an activist, but also an entrepreneur and a teacher as well

Speaking on the development, Alhaji Yerima Shettimas, who has been the National President of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, and recently, he became the National Co-ordinator of the Coalition of All Youths Wing of Ethnic Nationalities in the country, said youths should take up the challenge.

Yerima, who is giving close consideration to seeking election into the Senate, said this is time for youths to throw their hearts into the ring.

In a recent interview with Sunday Telegraph, he said: “To be fair I want to say there are pressures on me to represent my people, the Kaduna Central at the Senate, but I am still consulting with my people and family. I am reaching out to friends and political allies too. That is why I call it a call to serve and very soon, I will make my position clear to all Nigerians but I am still considering a lot of things.”

He said development in the international arena and the fact that youths must take the driver’s seat in the issue of governance drive him into this. “Look at what has happened in France, Canada and very close here – Liberia. They have scores of youths occupying legislative and executive positions. So our case should not be different from that and that is why I continue to clamour and call on the younger generation to buckle up, to get their PVCs, especially the youths who constitute about 70 per cent of the voting population.

“And that is why I say the 2019 election is going to be a war between the older generations and the younger ones. That is what will come into place in 2019. That year will witness the battle line between the youths and the older elements. That is the way our nation will keep pace with the generational shift that is taking place all over the world. I am talking about not just younger elements, but those ones that are tested and trusted, because some of our youths, if elected into office can also perform worse that the older generation. We need young leaders who are committed to the growth of the country, who are detribalized Nigerians.

“There have to be alternatives so that at the end of the day Nigerians can have a choice, but I must emphasise, the battle line in 2019 is going to be between the older and younger generations. I am not saying the old people should be completely wiped out, because there are some older ones whose ideas and advice can be tapped into, but anyone who is above 50 should go to his farm and stay with his family so as to allow the Nigerian people to use the newer generation to lead the nation.

Otherwise we will continue to move in circles because you don’t expect anyone to give you what he does not have. Hence we must be upbeat this time around. In fact 2019 serves a better time for us as Nigerians, but Nigerians will have to decide.”