A Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Hassan Ajisafe Saliu, has lamented that the nation’s political space has become heavily monetized with attendant effect on good governance.
He noted that monetary consideration has also stymied the process of entrenching youthful administration, contrary to the clamour for generational change in leadership of the country.
Saliu, a former Dean of Business and Social Science, University of Ilorin, said this at the Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)/Yakubu Danladi Salihu Capacity Building Workshop for Journalists, which held in Ilorin, the state capital on Friday.
The workshop was in honour of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, as part of the activities commemorating the 2020 Press Week of the NUJ.
Speaking at the event themed: “Not Too Young To Rule- Kwara Ninth Legislative Experience”, the political scientist expressed concern that the nation’s political space has been bastardized to mean that only financial muscle determines the length a potential politician could aim at politically.
He said the monetary consideration has continued to discourage the young people, who have mental capacity and the wherewithal but lack financial resources, to preside over the public affairs.
The Not too young to run Act notwithstanding, the Unilorin don also decried the provisions of the 1999 constitution (alteration), which limit the participation of the youth in governance.
He also slammed political parties in the country for their failure to engender internal democratic culture in their operations.
The political scientist urged the youth to henceforth align with parties with youth friendly philosophies so as to realise their political ambitions.
“You must have unity of purpose. Don’t allow elder elements to divide you along religion, regional and whatever interest”, he said.
Saliu applauded the state Speaker for stabilizing the legislative arm and working in synergy with the executive branch.
The political scientist called on the state legislature to give the executive the necessary support and rise above primordial sentiment in performing its functions.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, described the media as a crucial platform in deepening democracy and urged the NUJ to work with relevant agencies to stem the tide of fake news in the society.
He said the event was a demonstration of the regard the state legislature has for media profession and pledged further collaboration.
