Former Nigeria’s president, Olusegun Obasanjo, wants a political system dominated by younger folks as against the gerontocratic politics being practiced in Africa.
Obasanjo made the comment at a virtual meeting held on Wednesday, August 12, to mark the 2020 International Youth Day.
He said the youth must actively participate in political activities with a view to take over its structure rather than being tools in the hands of their aged leaders.
“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.
“The type of change I am talking about, that I believe we can all embark upon is to subscribe to the constitution of political parties in favour of youth, or if you like it, you call it affirmative action in favour of youth.
“For instance, if you say, in the constitution of a political party, not less than 50 per cent of those who hold executive office within the party will be less than 40 years.
“You can even go beyond that and say that people who will be put up for election, not less than 50 per cent of them will be less than 40 years of age. That’s affirmative action. That’s positive discrimination in favour of youth,” Obasanjo was quoter to have said in a Punch newspaper report.