Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former President has said the time has come for African youths to occupy leadership positions.
He said youth participation in the activities of political parties is key to taking over their structure and stand a better chance of occupying elective positions.
Obasanjo disclosed this on Wednesday during a keynote address at a virtual interactive which took place to mark the International Youth Day, 2020.
The Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta organised the event.
The former President said that unless the youths stand up to the older generation of leaders who occupy various leadership roles, they will continue to be relegated to the background.
“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.
He advocated for policies by political parties which will encourage youth participation in governance.
“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 youths. 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,” ThePunch quoted Obasanjo to have said.
Participants from Nigeria, Mali, USA, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa took part in the programme.