Lamido warns leaders against using youths for political battles
Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido cautioned Nigerian political leaders against exploiting youths as political tools, warning that this trend endangers democracy and the nation's future. He emphasized the need to mentor youths in ideology, sacrifice, and service ins…
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
At a colloquium celebrating his 78th birthday, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido strongly advised political leaders to cease using Nigerian youths for political battles, describing the practice as detrimental to democracy and national development. He, along with other speakers, advocated for guiding youths towards ideological politics, emphasizing moral rebirth and knowledge em…
Imagine grown-ups playing a big game called politics, but instead of playing fair, some grown-ups ask kids to cheat for them or shout mean things at other players. A wise old leader named Lamido says this is very wrong and will hurt the country's future, like building a house with weak bricks. He thinks kids should learn to be good leaders themselves, understanding what's right and wrong, instead of just doing dirty work for others.
Analysis
The recent colloquium celebrating former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido's 78th birthday served as a crucial platform for addressing the pervasive issue of youth manipulation in Nigerian politics. Lamido's stern warning against turning young Nigerians into 'political labourers, thugs and praise singers' resonates deeply with concerns about the integrity of the democratic process and the long-term health of the nation. His critique points to a systemic failure in leadership, where short-term political gains are prioritized over the foundational development of future generations. This practice, he argues, not only undermines the moral fabric of society but also actively destroys the potential for genuine leadership to emerge from the youth demographic.
Sule Lamido
Sule Lamido's address was a poignant reflection on the erosion of political mentorship in Nigeria. He lamented that contemporary leaders are failing to impart ideology, sacrifice, and service to the youth, a stark contrast to the guidance provided by figures like Aminu Kano and Shehu Shagari in the First and Second Republics. This historical perspective underscores a perceived decline in ethical political engagement, where the focus has shifted from nation-building principles to transactional politics. Lamido's concern is that if youths are primarily taught to 'rig elections, to insult opponents on social media and to fight your political battles,' the country is inevitably heading towards 'moral decadence and leadership collapse.'
Ahmed Makarfi
Echoing Lamido's sentiments, former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who chaired the colloquium, urged youths to embrace ideological politics. Makarfi's call for unity, dedication, and sacrifice is a direct challenge to the transactional nature of current political engagement, where 'politics without ideology is empty.' His intervention highlights the necessity for young people to develop a principled approach to governance, one that prioritizes national development over personal or factional interests. By advocating for ideological conviction, Makarfi seeks to empower youths to resist manipulation by desperate politicians and become agents of positive change rather than mere instruments.
Bayero University
The academic contributions from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), further enriched the discourse, providing an intellectual framework for understanding and addressing youth manipulation. Professor Kamilu Fagge emphasized that youths, as the 'engine of any nation,' must be 'empowered with knowledge rather than weapons,' warning that misdirecting them could 'kill the nation.' Dr. Akilu Indabawa, also from BUK, advocated for the introduction of political education to rescue youths from manipulation, suggesting a structured approach to civic enlightenment. Professor Nu’uman Habib connected drug abuse and political thuggery to bad leadership, while Islamic cleric Malam Ibrahim Khalil called for moral and spiritual guidance, asserting that 'politics without morality will not take us anywhere.' These academic insights collectively underscore the multifaceted nature of the problem and the urgent need for comprehensive educational and moral reforms.
Key points
- Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido warned political leaders against using youths as "political labourers, thugs, and praise singers."
- He emphasized that this practice is dangerous for democracy, leads to moral decadence, and threatens Nigeria's future leadership.
- Speakers at a colloquium, including Senator Ahmed Makarfi, urged youths to embrace ideological politics and resist manipulation.
- Academics from Bayero University, Kano, stressed the importance of empowering youths with knowledge and political education.
- The consensus was that proper youth mentorship in ideology, sacrifice, and service is crucial for Nigeria's political and socio-economic development.
If leaders heed Lamido's warning and prioritize genuine youth mentorship, Nigeria could cultivate a generation of ideologically driven leaders committed to national development. This shift could foster a more stable and ethical political landscape, reducing electoral violence and promoting constructive civic engagement.
Should the trend of exploiting youths for political gain persist, Nigeria faces a heightened risk of moral decay, leadership collapse, and continued political instability. The nation's future development could be severely hampered by a generation ill-prepared for responsible governance and susceptible to manipulation.
