A post prompted me to use my pen like I always do, and this time, strictly for those youths that are tired of being used: the ones that are ready to let our leaders know we are ready for the new Nigeria; the ones that are ready to prove to our President that we are not “lazy”; rather, we are not just educated, we can also apply our education. If truly you're ready, you can proceed/continue reading this, otherwise just move to the next post on your wall. I believe "Youths are leaders of tomorrow" is a general notion and history has it that they have been at the forefront of the nation’s change-wheel and working mechanisms: when the majority of the people in power then were between 29-35 years old. But, that's not the case with present-day Nigerian youths, as the same set of people has refused bluntly to leave the post, after four decades. The quote now is: "Nigerian youths, the messengers of death; Nigerian youths, the political thugs of tomorrow’s election."

Yes, Nigerian youths are the political thugs and messengers of death; most especially the ones that are not from wealthy backgrounds who refused to use their brains. Because, I wonder why the politicians will hide their children and send you on a deadly assignment when their own children are abroad schooling with public funds; protecting their families and putting other homes in pandemonium. During political rallies, they mobilise these same youth, but during job opportunities, they mobilise their children and relatives. These same youths called political thugs end up graduating into armed robbers/hired assassins/kidnappers, etc., using the same weapons provided to them by the so-called politicians, because immediately the politicians achieve their aims, they forget about their thugs' pockets and, by so doing, monies aren’t forthcoming any longer, and they must continue living big since they've tasted it. But when they are caught in the act, the politicians in a bid to protect their image denies knowing them.

In addition, this same set of politrickians gave their children’s hands in marriage to their fellow politicians, because you're nothing but a thug who is not worthy to be a son-in-law. Since I was born, and now I'm getting old, I've never seen any Nigeria politician giving the hands of their daughters in marriage to any of their thugs, rather they do it within. Yet, some youths think they (politicians) are enemies, not knowing they are just using and killing them. Take, for instance, Gov Rauf Aregbesola's son, Kabiru Aregbesola: he tied the knot with Farida Alli. Gov Ganduje of Kano's daughter married Gov Ajimobi's son. Former President Ibrahim Babangida's daughter tied the knot with Alhaji Auwal Lawal Abdullahi. Abike Dabiri, a former lawmaker and now Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Affairs is now an in-law to Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State (Ayomide Amosun and Oladipo Dabiri-Erewa), etc.

However, don't you think you have a problem: if you are only good as a political thug, ballot-box snatcher, and not as an in-law? Please, answer these questions too. Have you ever seen Nigerian politicians going for a rally or any political functions with their children? Have you ever seen any leader buying tricycles for their children/machines, etc., for empowerment? Have you ever seen any of their children applying for N-power which the salary is 30,000? Then, you need to have a rethink. Stop falling for the empowerment tricks by our leaders, because once they bribe you with their empowerment scam before the election and you vote for them, that is all till the next four years. Have you also forgotten that the present regime promised to pay unemployed graduates N5,000, which many fell for and what's the result? Why not tell them to build schools, hospitals, construct roads etc., which will serve as a means of creating employment. Recall the ‘Great Depression’ in the history of the United States of America - a period of 10 years - 1929-1939. It’s on record that one of the most important measures President Franklyn D. Roosevelt took was to introduce Works Progress Administration (WPA): they kept building, which was a means of creating jobs and also transforming the country. Not too long ago, Burkina Faso had a similar experience too. And Thomas Shankara took them out of the mess in less than four years. Don't forget Vince Lombardi's quote: “Leaders are not born; they are made and they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that is the price we'll have to pay to achieve any goal."

Then, again, the children of our politicians study abroad, go for a vacation abroad, go to hospitals abroad to treat headache and cough, give birth abroad, et al. Yet, they come out later to give you guns, machetes, axes, and few thousands of naira to cut your fellow brother down in the name of election. Believe me, they will be coming to you again come 2019, and this is the right time to show them you're ready to use what you have. And if you are truly the leaders of tomorrow, you must mend your ways now before it's too late. Stop allowing them to use and waste you, because our leaders have no respect for the youths. They believe that their personal interests are the interests of the people. They took masses' resources and turned them into personal wealth. Our so-called leaders are only there for their selfish interest, not because of the masses or any youths. Don't be deceived! That's why you see them changing parties as if they were changing clothes; whereas, there are millions of unemployed graduates in the country. It's in Nigeria one would see 500,000 people applying for 500 available vacancies. The Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission has said no fewer than 23,000 applicants are jostling to fill the 1,000 available spaces in the state’s civil service, etc. Are you not tired of all these? Why not get your PVC, and get ready to elect those you know will take us to the future we crave; join a party and start contesting within your party, if you have what it takes. Stop complaining that your vote won't count, talk to your friends and family members to do same, etc. "Vote and defend your vote." Say no to vote- and PVC-selling and utilise the only weapon you have to get what you want (choose who represents you in the legislature, governs you in your state and who emerges as president).

Patrice Lumumba was reported to have said: “The tragedy with Africa is those with ideas are not in power, while those in power have no ideas. When the people have a chance, they still vote for those with no ideas.

“Educate children of the poor, so that they can get out of poverty. Poverty does not breed confidence. Only confident people can bring changes. Poor, uneducated people can also bring change, but it will be hijacked by the educated and the wealthy. Give young Nigerians good education. Teach them the value of hard work and sacrifice, and discourage them from crimes, which are destroying your image as a good people.”

"Education is the key to success. But, in Nigeria, corruption has changed the padlock."

That being said, some people believe that their vote won't count because they don't know the power of "One Vote". But on January 18, 1961, in Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania), the Afro-Shirazi Party won the general elections by a single seat, after the seat of Chake-Chake on Pemba Island was won by a single vote. In 1941, the active-service component of the Selective Service Act of 1940 was extended by a margin of one vote, 203 to 202. In 1876, one vote gave Rutherford B Hayes the presidency of the United States. Andrew Johnson retained his office by one vote. In 1839, Marcus “Landslide” Morton was, indeed, elected governor of Massachusetts by one vote.

Yes, one vote can make a difference indeed!

With your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), you can make a difference in the coming elections.

A word, they say, is enough for the wise!

Don't let anybody take you for a ride.

•Banjo Oluwatobiloba can be reached via banjooluwatobiloba1@gmail.com; callme_papat; facebook.com/kay4talk; Twitter: @kay4talk

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