‘Why Are We Using Our Future?’ Lamido Tackles Youth Political Exploitation
Former Jigawa State Governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has criticised the growing use of Nigerian youths as political labourers, saying leaders have failed to adequately prepare them for the future.
Lamido spoke on Sunday in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, where he chose to engage with youths rather than hold a conventional meeting with political elites.
He said successive leaders had neglected mentorship and character formation among young Nigerians, leaving many exposed to political activities driven by thuggery, hatred, abuse and disrespect.
“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,” Lamido said.
He questioned why young Nigerians were being used to advance political interests when they should instead be prepared to take over the country’s leadership.
“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?” he asked.
Lamido urged youths across political parties, including the PDP, All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), not to see one another as enemies, stressing that they shared common challenges and aspirations.
He called on political leaders and other stakeholders to invest in young Nigerians through education, employment, mentorship and character development.
According to him, previous generations benefited from guidance provided by political leaders, elders, religious institutions and other societal structures, and the same support should be extended to today’s youths.
Lamido said preparing young Nigerians with competence, integrity, tolerance and a sense of national responsibility was essential to ensuring a stronger future for the country.
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