Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has challenged Nigerian and African youths to force the older generation out of public office.
He spoke during a virtual presentation to mark the International Youth Day on Wednesday.
He said that unless “squeezed” out, some members of the older generation would continue to occupy political office, even after the age of 80.
“Unless you squeeze out those who are in the 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 former president stated.
Obasanjo noted that the constitutions of political parties have provisions for affirmative action for youths, urging them to seize such opportunities.
The former president said it was easier to effect change at the political party level than at the governance level, and urged the youths to participate in party politics.
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Obasanjo said, “The type of change I am talking about, that I believe we can all embark upon is to subscribe into the constitution of political parties in favour of youth. Or if you like it you call it affirmative action in favour of youths. 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 of age.
“You’re just making sure that people that are 40 years of age will hold 50 per cent of executive offices within the political party.
“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 youths.
“I am saying this because if you leave it entirely for people to do it for you, nobody will do it for you. You have to do it for yourself.”