For keen political watchers, there has been no shortage of doubt that the 2019 general election in Nigeria would be without strategic ambush among the political gladiators; which, of course, forms part of every conventional democratic process.

What has, however, caused concern among Nigerians is the volume of treacheries, horse-trading, and human tragedy tagged party defections recently displayed by these political players. It was a feat propelled by silent animosity within and outside the parties, which have consequentially trumped up hidden political tensions to where they can be seen and possibly dealt with while leaving innocent Nigerians confused.

Indeed, this appalling signal that all may, after all, not be politically well with the country was first dispatched by the Nigerian youths, through their orchestrated Not-too-young-to-run campaign: an advocacy that culminated in a bill that President Muhammadu Buhari has since appended to law. Despite this great accomplishment, it appears from the events of the past weeks that the youths were unmindful of the inherent difficulties associated with transforming such law into action, or unanticipated the echoing intrinsic political environment of ours. In line with these strange and shocking revelations on our political wavelength, the youths appear to have become despondent politically: a development precipitated by the sudden discovery that politics, as played on our shores, cannot be traced to any ideological background.

Looking at commentaries, they (youths), and other global watchers, are not particularly happy that no basic ideological difference exists among the political parties in the country, as they are mere broker-parties that conspire daily to seize power, with no positive strategy to pragmatically promote traditional social values or regulate social behaviours in their pursuit of power; a state of affairs that is considered bad for morals.

It is, therefore, by no means a surprise that the push for a generational change in leadership by the youths has suddenly waned. The vast majority retired to their former pre-eminent position - the political gallery as spectators - some divided along party lines, while others have taken solace in social media where they have resumed the praise-singing role or what is referred to as Oti-mkpu, in the Igbo local parlance, for their political godfathers whom they hitherto rejected and accused of neither adding value to their lives nor pointed at roads to opportunities.

Though a dangerous development, as wisdom born from experience bears eloquent testimony to the fact that such concession made in the past turned out to be an irretrievable step backwards. And for the youths to now black-out of this fight, definitely, will translate to losing forever.

One believes it is not impossible that apart from the huge capital involvement in the political activities in Nigeria, which has become a native, the political spirits of these youths - who were at the vanguard of challenging the status quo and effect social and political change - were further dampened by their realisation that the nation, from its current standpoint, is disinterested in creating leaders embodied with virtues that the world can respect and leaders that have moral and ethical principles that we can applaud with enthusiasm.

Arguably, it may also not be completely wrong to assert that the youths were initially lured into participating in the nation’s democratic process by their belief in the words of Thomas Paine who, in his book entitled Common Sense, noted that: “The law is king; vigilant adherence to the rule of law strengthens democracy by ensuring that decisions would be tested, studied, reviewed and examined by institutions designed to improve policy and ensure that those who govern operate within the constitutional structures.”

But contrary to the above line of ideology, events of past weeks have shown the youths that things are different here: that it’s not law but the inordinate will of our ‘leaders’ that is king; thus, precipitating confusion and despondency like a cloud of fire on the youths.

Also supporting the reason for this unexpected development of apathy towards partisan politics by the Nigerian youths is the fact that globally, a leadership position is viewed as an opportunity for effecting social, cultural, religious and political change.

But if there is any useful lesson learned by the youths of this country in the past days, it is their understanding that power in the context of an average Nigerian leader is not about affecting socio-economic and political change, but rather targeted at protecting the personal interest.

To the ‘leaders’, it is not about service but personal aggrandisement. This, in the writer’s view, has become not just a governing liturgy but a common prayer of invocation: as an effect, corroded the atmosphere for political trust and coexistence between the ‘leaders’ and the youths.

It is, however, curious developments that while the wider world is busy generating new ideas and staging major debates about doing things differently - in a world that is rapidly changing - our leaders are taking actions that are objectively viewed as inimical to our socio-economic development, and may possibly get us stunted as a nation.

Very instructive, the political events of the past weeks has obviously blown harsh wind into our space and placed a heavy moral burden/consequence on our leaders; with innocent Nigerians viewing their policies as unpopular and their actions as corrupt.

In view of the above challenges, the major responsibility before Nigerian youths is how to develop and accelerate the process that will shape our political geography and create an environment conducive for the re-emergence of a fully functional democracy.

With this in mind, rather than lose ground, the youths should remember that a nation succeeds or fails by the way they challenge the unknown, and cope with fears. Also functioning as a guide, a point they (the youths) must not fail to remember is that it requires a prolonged effort to effect a change and change the backward nature of the people, as necessary pressure is needed at the beginning.

Going forward, the youths should embark on an aggressive campaign and develop a formidable community-organising power that no one can ignore. This will take long hours, and the travel will be excruciating. But the youths must be ready to pay the price if they anticipate becoming politically relevant anytime soon.

To further save the soul of this country from the ‘political airtight cage’, Nigerian youths must be committed to, and galvanise moral and political strength to say no to instant gratification and political praise-singing.

And, even if the youths fail to penetrate the public offices come 2019, they must, like their counterparts at the global stage, develop the capacity for supporting candidates with a personal commitment to protecting the people’s rights and programmes that will promote human skills, especially that of the youths.

•Jerome-Mario Utomi, of Springnewsng.com, writes via jeromeutomi@yahoo.com and can also be reached on 08032725574 (SMS)

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