Lamido: Politicians turning youths into political foot soldiers

By Lateef Ibrahim with agency report

Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) founding member, Sule Lamido, has criticised the growing use of Nigerian youths as instruments of political mobilization, warning that the practice is undermining their future.

Lamido spoke in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, where he met with youths rather than political elites.

The former governor said the decision was deliberate, stressing that his concern was the failure of the political class to adequately prepare younger Nigerians for leadership.

According to him, successive generations of leaders have neglected mentorship, character development and the values needed to build responsible citizens.

“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,” he said.

Lamido questioned why political leaders were unable to provide young Nigerians with the same guidance and opportunities that previous generations received.

“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.

He said youths were increasingly being drawn into political activities involving thuggery, hatred, abuse and personal attacks instead of being encouraged to engage in politics based on ideas, policies and principles.

Lamido also warned against the practice of mobilizing young people around individual politicians, saying it could deepen divisions among members of the same generation.

He urged youths affiliated with the PDP, All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties to see beyond partisan differences.

“Whether you are in PDP, APC, ADC or any other political party, you share so much in common as a youth. Therefore, while you are in your own political party, you should not be enemies,” he said.

The former governor called for greater investment in education, employment, mentorship and leadership development to equip young Nigerians for future responsibilities.

He said previous generations had benefited from guidance provided by political leaders, elders, religious institutions and other community structures, which helped shape their values and leadership capacity.

Lamido further urged young Nigerians across the North, South, East and West to recognize their common interests and responsibilities.

He said the country’s long-term development would depend on preparing youths for leadership based on competence, integrity, tolerance and national responsibility.