The National Secretary of the Labour Party, Barrister Kayode Ajulo has said that by not including any young Nigerian in the ministerial list, President Muhammadu Buhari has shown that he has nothing to offer Nigerian youths who made his presidency possible.
Ajulo said “It is very painful that our nation is again running around in circles in the name of ‘Change’ even though Providence has granted us yet another opportunity to get it right. It is equally heartbreaking that the president has taken the citizens on a merry-go-round and a wild goose chase in the name of shopping for angels who will sanitize the nation.
Where are the angels that President Buhari promised? Where are the saints that he vowed to find and work with in his bid to bring change home to Nigerians? A cursory glance at that list reveals that the much touted change is an urban legend- a myth sold to Nigerians by the APC to win the mandate.
“It is laughable that President Buhari – a man perceived by some to be a staunch anti-corruption crusader – would actually opt, of his own free will, to work with some personalities whose name have been included in the list of the nominees. These people belong to the old guard, they are the same ones who did the damage. It reeks of suspicion when the famed champion of anti-corruption nominates people who are already burdened with accusations of malfeasance and flagrant mismanagement of public funds. Where then is the war against corruption? It is DOA – Dead on Arrival.
“In my opinion, the president owes Nigerian youths an explanation. It is a mystery and a riddle why he would be appointing men who should be on retirement to the grueling task that a ministerial appointment presents. There are many qualified and credible young persons who can deliver the needed goods to Nigerians. These young men and women made his presidency possible.
“Why stick to ancient persons? It is tragic that even though the youths within 18-45 years old make up as much as 78% of the votes that saw President Buhari emerge as president, the average age in the announced list and even in the appointments he has made so far is 61 years. It is not about the rich or the poor but about the Old and the Young.”
A member of the House of Representatives, Raphael Igbokwe has also urged Buhari to appoint more young people.
While speaking with News Agency of Nigeria, Igbokwe said “With the recent announcement of ministerial nominees, we were taken aback that in the list so mentioned we have not seen any young person included there.
“We want to appeal to the government to consider getting more young people on board.
“Bringing them close makes them understand the workings of government and make them appreciate government better.
“And also it gives them opportunity to be heard and also contribute their quota”.
Igbokwe observed that it was unfair to exclude youths from actively participating in politics because of their age.
“At the age of 18 years you can vote; yet at the same age, a person cannot be voted for.
“Citizens have to wait for a very long time before they can be eligible to hold public offices.’’
Popular Twitter Activist, Japheth Omojuwa in a tweet also made a strong case for youth inclusion in the list.
In a tweet, he said “I believe there are genuinely competent young people who should have made #TheList , not on account of age but ability. We cannot build tomorrow without the owners of tomorrow.”