Old Leaders Must Be Flushed Out For African Youths To Rule – Obasanjo

Ex President, Olusegun Obasanjo has urged African youths to start taking active part in political activities in their several nations.

He recently revealed that this is the only way these youngsters can ensure they flush out the older generation from office.

According to him, the youths must begin to demand affirmative action enshrined in the constitution of political parties, because they are the future of the continent.

He added that if the old leaders are not forced out as soon as possible, the youths should expect them to keep occupying the leadership positions for years to come.

His words, “Unless you squeeze out those who are in the office and those who want to remain in office perpetually, some after the age of 80. Unless you squeeze them out they will not want to be out,”

“The type of change I am talking about, that I believe we can all embark upon is to subscribe into the constitution of political parties in favour of youth. Or if you like it you call it affirmative action in favour of youths. For instance, if you say, in the constitution of a political party, not less than 50 per cent of those who hold executive office within the party will be less than 40 years of age.”

“You’re just making sure that people that are 40 years of age will hold 50 per cent of executive offices within the political party.

“You can even go beyond that and say that people who will be put up for election, not less than 50 per cent of them, will be less than 40 years of age. That’s affirmative action. That’s positive discrimination in favour of youths.

“I am saying this because if you leave it entirely for people to do it for you, nobody will do it for you. You have to do it for yourself.”