Former Jigawa State Governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sule Lamido, has expressed concern over what he described as the increasing use of Nigerian youths as political labourers by politicians.
Lamido spoke on Sunday in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, where he met with youths instead of holding a conventional gathering involving political elites.
The former governor said his decision was driven by concern over the future of Nigeria 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,” Lamido said.
He questioned why the present generation of leaders could not provide younger Nigerians with the same guidance and opportunities they received when they 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?” he asked.
Lamido said youths were increasingly being exposed to political activities involving thuggery, hatred, abuse and disrespect instead of constructive engagement based on ideas and principles.
He urged youths across political parties, including the PDP, APC and ADC, not to see one another as enemies, stressing that they shared common aspirations and faced similar challenges.
The former governor 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. He also urged youths across the North, South, East and West to recognise their shared interests and responsibilities as members of the same generation.
