Former Jigawa State Governor and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has expressed concern over the increasing use of Nigerian youths as political labourers by politicians.
Lamido spoke on Sunday in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
The former governor said he deliberately chose to meet with youths instead of organising a conventional gathering involving political elites, saying the decision was informed by his concern over the future of the country and the challenges facing younger Nigerians.
He said political leaders had failed to provide adequate mentorship and character formation for the younger generation.
“We, the leaders, have abandoned Nigerian youths in terms of moulding them, character formation, inculcating brotherhood, sisterhood, human empathy and all those values that make human beings.
“The question is, why can’t we give the younger generation what we were given when we were young?
“In the next 35 years, we will not be here. Why, then, are we using our future, our youths, as political machinery and political labourers?” Lamido asked.
He expressed concern that youths were increasingly being exposed to political activities characterised by thuggery, hatred, abuse and disrespect, rather than constructive engagement based on ideas and principles.
According to him, some politicians mobilise young people around individuals instead of political principles, a development he said could create unnecessary divisions among youths.
Lamido urged youths across political parties, including the PDP, APC and ADC, not to regard one another as enemies, stressing that they shared common aspirations and faced similar challenges.
“Whether you are in PDP, APC, ADC or any other political party, you share so much in common as a youth. Therefore, while you are in your own political party, you should not be enemies,” he said.
He called on political leaders and other stakeholders to invest in the intellectual, moral and leadership development of young Nigerians through education, employment opportunities, mentorship and proper character formation.
Lamido said previous generations benefited from guidance provided by political leaders, elders, religious institutions and other societal structures, which helped shape their values and leadership abilities.
He urged the present generation of leaders to provide similar opportunities for young Nigerians, saying the future of the country depended on how effectively youths were prepared to assume leadership responsibilities.
The former governor also called on youths from the North, South, East and West to recognise their shared interests and responsibilities as members of the same generation.
He said Nigeria could achieve sustainable development if its youths were adequately prepared for leadership based on competence, integrity, tolerance and national responsibility.
We have abandoned Nigerian youths, using them as political machinery – Lamido