NIGERIAN YOUTHS REJECT ROTATIONAL PRESIDENCY

PHOTO: PROTESTERS DURING THE 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH' RALLY IN ABUJA RECENTLY.

Last week the New Nigeria Youth Movement met in Ghana to deliberate on recent events in Nigeria. The venue was deliberately kept secret to avoid ‘disruption’ akin to the last one billed for Port Harcourt. I could not make the trip but joined them on telephone conferencing. We had earlier adopted new security measures aimed at shutting out our perceived opposition since we do not know them, whether the thrashed Old Nigeria cabal or the new ruling clique bent on establishing sectional control.

The New Nigeria Youth Movement voted unanimously to allow me return as spokesman for another term. This was an exceptional decision considering that I was past the age limit. To validate this appointment a minor constitutional amendment was effected to allow Nigerians up to age 50 years to be members.

The meeting deliberated on the Review of Shadow Parliament decisions in New York, New cabinet of acting President Jonathan, Review of statements from America on Rotational Presidency and also partitioning call from Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi and the Way forward for the Nigerian Revolution.

It also commended the organizers of the New York Shadow Parliament for their progressive resolutions and expressed support for the issues raised but however frowned at attempts by fifth columnists to truncate and distort the original Assembly concept by refusing to endorse a continuity body. Without a shadow cabinet springing from the deliberations the whole idea has no life and would suit only appointment seekers as well as political jobbers instead of providing Citizens an alternative body to help rebuild a new Nigeria.

"They want us to heap our hopes on those who are even in themselves hopeless thereby extending the misery index of Nigerians for another span." For this reason the New York effort will no longer represent the New Nigeria as earlier taunted. To this end the body decided to set up another Assembly. Suggestions of New York, London or Ghana were bandied by members and a sub committee was set up to decide and report to the body by April. The new Shadow Assembly will draw merited representatives of Nigerians in Diaspora and also from Nigeria to deliberate without fear or favor on the crucial issues that would lead to liberation of Nigeria.

It therefore called on well meaning Nigerians to come together to realize what is good for the country without looking up to the present government already enslaved by party strings and tainted by those bad practices that gave Nigeria a bad name. On concessions already being made by the new administration, they cautioned that Nigerians should not give in to these gimmicks, as they will soon evaporate into thin air.

The Jonathan-led administration cannot claim better political credibility than their predecessors unless it implements what would change the Nigerian state in order to sufficiently reduce poverty and oppression. The Youths however applauded the Senate for deciding to approve independent candidacy in the constitution but questioned why they should be encumbered by certain clauses, as the development would defeat the amendments made.  It is like robbing Peter to pay Paul because independent candidacy or voting rights for Nigerians abroad under today’s draconian laws will not work.

The meeting however rejected the recent call by President Gaddafi that Nigeria be split into two, stating that the call was unnecessary so long as the new generations of Nigerians are learning to work together in a framework spearheaded by this movement adding that any other framework will prove Gaddafi right.

On rotational Presidency in Nigeria the body dismissed the position of America who had earlier supported such move, saying that it was untenable and ill advised as it brought the country a measure of instability and leadership mediocrity.

According to the Youth body, democracy is the basis of the ongoing Nigeria revolution and the country can be better governed if we t6ake cue from civilized democracy.

The body is also opposed to the list of cabinet members submitted to the senate by Acting President Jonathan nothing that nothing has changed as wrong value system would still be the order of the day

It assured Nigerians that progress is being made already as the major stakeholders like Save Nigeria Group [SNG], ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, Civil society groups, Nigerians Abroad and others are now coordinating efforts to build a consistent agenda in this regard despite infiltrations and opposition from the junta. If Nigerians must avoid disappointment they must join hands to build a formidable body capable of leading Nigeria to the Promised Land.

Mr. Nworisara, a former student activist, aspired to be President of Nigeria in 1992.