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Alpharic Research Institute

Centre for Research in Philosophy, Theology and
Ethics
Email: alpharicinstitute@gmail.com
+2349066927954

FACTORS AFFECTING YOUTHS’ PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS

BY
GODSWILL OME UFERE
Email: uferegodswillmatthias@gmail.com, godswillmatthias99@gmail.com; __GSM: +2347045155575
AUGUST, 2021

INTRODUCTION affirm their relevance in the polity of their

countries.
The youths can be a creative force and a
dynamic source of sustainable innovation; Who is a youth?
however they also face issues of poverty,
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
barriers to education, and limited employment
defines youth as ‘a young man’. It is also
prospects and opportunities. There are
define as the time of life when one is young,
numerous advantages attached to the inclusion
especially the time before a child becomes an
of youth in politics, having charismatic and
adult (Hornby, n.pg). Definition of the specific
passionate youths who are politically
age range which is generally acceptable, for
conscious will foster a rapid growth and
the purpose of determining who is a youth
development in all sectors of the economy.
varies. It is therefore difficult to arrive at a
Also, the youths are better performers in the
specific age range which is generally
area of sensitization and mobilization of the
acceptable for the purpose of using age as
electorate during electioneering campaigns.
parameter for determining whether an
The vibrancy of youths makes them
individual is a youth or not. Even where an
indispensable in politics as such their
age range is suggested, an individual’s actual
inclusion in politics cannot be
maturity may not correspond to their
overemphasized. If this energy is channeled
chorological age, as immature individuals can
well into politics it will go a long way to
exist at all ages.
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YOUTHS AND POLITICS To involve means ‘to take part in’ or

participate in an activity or event. There are
Generally speaking, politics is concerned with
however types and levels of political
the aggregation of the inter-relationship of
‘involvement. A person may actively be
man, his environment and the management of
involved in a politics, passively; participate in
any conflict arising from such association
politics thing or become totally indifferent to
(Thomas 5) Specifically speaking however,
it. There could also be direct and indirect
there is variation in definitional perception of
participation. Socially and politically
the word ‘politics’ which is determined by the
speaking, participation refers to the platform
area of the subject matter in which an
and the mechanisms for the public to express
individual is interested. This may be the area
opinions and ideally exert influence, regarding
of governmental activity or non-governmental
political, economic, management or other
activity. It is however noticed that more often
social decisions (Afolayan 152). Democracy
than not, people tend to ascribe politics to
has tremendously enhanced people’s
governmental actions or inactions, and any
participation in Nigeria and all over the world.
struggle towards attaining the control of
This is why democracy is seen as the best
governmental power at any level. Within the
form of government, at least in the area of
context of the topic before me, politics or
participation (Tyyska 3). For well-informed
political participation is a perception of
participation to take place, some version of
politics within the governmental viewpoint. It
transparency is necessary by the decision
is therefore pertinent to look at the definition
makers, while knowledge through information
of politics by Harold Lasswell who conceived
seeking is required on the part of the populace.
politics as “Who gets What, When, and
Participation can build public support for
How?” (16). By this definition, Lasswell
governmental activities; it can also facilitate
conceives of politics from the perspective of
useful information exchange regarding local
incumbent power wielders within or outside of
conditions. It further enables individuals and
government and their means of power
groups to influence governmental decisions in
acquisition and within what time frame. The
a representational manner (Ilesanmi 123). At
point here is therefore whether youths should
the utmost, it may lead to an evolutionary
be involved in determining who gets what
change in government as witnessed in Nigeria
when and how in the country.
at the last election. In all of the occasions
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mentioned above, youths took the centre stage equivalents. This minimum education
and brought about the changes. requirement does not however mean that a
school certificate is sufficient to navigate
LEGAL QUALIFICATION FOR
the word of politics and leadership at this
YOUTHS POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
computer age. I will suggest here that
IN NIGERIA
some amount of tertiary education, which
According to Kolawole, the following are the allows for the development of an
legal qualifications for youths participation in independent mind, understanding of the
Nigeria; world around us, and responsibility for
decision-making are required here.
(1) Age: In Nigeria, a person is of full age,
capable of exercising the electoral rights of (3) Citizenship of Nigeria: Whereas it is
an adult when he attains the age of 18 not required to be a Nigerian Citizen for
years. This is as contained in Section 24(4) one to vote at an election in Nigeria, to be
of the Constitution of the Federal Republic voted for in an election in Nigeria is a
of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended). The different ball game. There are three types
implication of this politically is that an 18- of citizenship recognized by the
year old Nigerian is eligible to vote at any Constitution, namely;
election by the virtue of universal adult
i. Citizenship by birth;
suffrage being practiced in Nigeria.
However, in order to contest elections or ii. Citizenship by registration; and
present himself for election in Nigeria, he
iii. Citizenship by naturalization
must have attained the requisite age
required for the office into which he or she (4) Membership of a Political Party:
seeks election as provided in the Until the very recent debate and
Constitution and other relevant laws. consideration of the National Conference
Reports by the National Assembly which
(2) Education: Nearly all the elective
has shown the favourable disposition of
posts mentioned above requires a
the National Assembly to the concept of
contestant to be at the minimum, educated
independent candidacy of a person in an
to Senior School Certificate level, that is,
election, a candidate for any election in
he must have completed his/her studies in
Nigeria must not only belong to a political
the Secondary School level or its
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party but must be sponsored by the party. DISQUALIFYING ELEMENTS OF

The Constitution as it is presently does not YOUTHS IN POLITICS
permit independent candidates as in other
The following can disqualify a youth from
countries. It is however sufficient that a
involving in politics of the country:
candidate is nominated by the party and
not necessarily that he or she is financially i. A youth who is targeting
supported for the election. Afolayan participation in politics especially
observed that the trends in the Nigeria elective office must have soundness
politics is however such that political of mind. A lunatic cannot be
parties and godfathers wield a lot of elected. Drug abuse, excessive
influence on a successful candidate (154). alcohol and strange addictions may
lead to lunacy; youths must
(5) Sex/Gender: While sex refers to the
therefore shun drug abuse and
biological traits of being a male or female,
excessive alcohols.
gender refers to the image and role created
ii. ii. He/She must also not be a
by any given society with its attendant
convict either for the death sentence
social, religious, superstitious, customary
or for a term of imprisonment for an
and psychological connotation. Being a
offence involving fraud or
male or a female is not a limitation or
dishonesty.
restriction to contest for any office in
iii. iii. A bankrupt person, that is, an
Nigeria. In fact it amounts to violation of
un-discharged bankrupt cannot
the inalienable fundamental rights of an
participate in an election into the
individual to restrain him or her from
National Assembly. The procedure
contesting for a particular elective position
for declaring a person bankrupt is
only because he or she is of a particular
contained in the Bankruptcy Act.
gender. However, according to Altshuler,
iv. iv. A serving public servant of the
“In practice however, the trend has always
State or Federation must have left
being that the cultural and customary
his or her employment at least 30
perspective of Nigerians have put a bar on
days before the date of the election.
the election of the female gender into some
Employees in the public service are
elective posts like the President, Vice –
those listed in Section 318 of the
President and Governors” (40).
Constitution.
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v. v. A youth who is a member of
Secret Society is not qualify for
election into the National
Assembly.
vi. vi. Indictment for embezzlement
and forgery are also disqualifying
elements, though such must be
proved beyond reasonable doubt.
EFFECTS OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
IN POLITICS
Youth involvement in politics is two-sided; it
has both positive and negative effects.
On the Positive Effects
Positively, if not for any other thing but the
representation they will get will enhance the
country to know the mind of the youths
towards the happenings of the nation. Also,
they will be included in the country’s decision
making and budgeting spheres.
One of the advantages of youth inclusion in
politics is the access to information. Politics
thrives on information not propaganda. With
the advantage of the internet and the social
media, youth have virtually an unrestricted
access to information and this paves way for
the sophistication and robustness of their
knowledge base.
The youths are an asset for sustainable growth
and development. It is a fact that the youths
are in the productive stage of their lives and
they require proper orientation from the adults
in order to approach politics with a positive
mentality. Youth agencies and civil rights
groups have to come in this regard to ensure
that the youth make impact in politics and
governance.
Generally, youths have innovative ideas and
are passionate for change in any capacity they
find themselves, but the much desired change
in the political landscape can only happen if
the efforts of the youth are encouraged by the
larger society. The youth need to be given a
chance to make use of their intellect. The
young professionals from various educational
backgrounds can make meaningful impacts in
the economy by way of contesting for
elections and being appointed into political
offices. A passion to serve and move their
countries toward a sustainable future must be
at the centre of their hearts.
On the Negative Effects
Youth involvement in politics becomes a
curse when there is a higher population of
youth without education in the political
system; education is a tool for enlightenment
and it must be given utmost priority by our
leaders. Likewise, the war against poverty
must be in place in order to make youth
inclusion a blessing to our generation.
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In Nigeria today, youths are already aspiring terrorizing people is greatly counter-
to make a difference because they are much productive. Nigerian youths must be
more enlightened. This is the right time for the encouraged to participate positively and
youth to arise and challenge the status quo of actively in political processes. Such
being left to dance to the tune of unscrupulous encouragement could mean building necessary
elders who try to lure the youth into political social structures and providing the enabling
vices like violence, rigging, ballot snatching, atmosphere for the realization of individual
etc without highly educated, highly literate, talents, personality development and group
highly skilled, intellectually brilliant and self- survival.
confident youth.
FACTORS AFFECTING YOUTH
Also, in Nigeria, youths face poverty, INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICS
displacement, and barriers to education,
They are as follows:
multiple forms of discrimination and limited
employment prospects and opportunities. i. The pattern of political socialization
These have constituted clog in wheels of and culture.
growth and development of both the body and ii. The incursion of military into
minds of the majority of Nigerian youths, politics which has destroyed
thereby reducing them to a mere political tool democratic cultures and institutions.
in the hands of the ruling class in Nigeria. This has robbed the youths of
Niger Delta Militants, Boko Haram etc., are having knowledge of what the ideal,
example of youth groups whose power have proper and civil political processes
been negatively channel to the destruction of should be.
the nation instead of building it. iii. Commercialization of politics
which has turned it to investment,
Youths have generally been negatively
money spinning venture and the one
mobilized by political class because they tend
sure way to quick wealth and riches.
to thrive in thuggery, violence and the like,
It is no longer seen as gateway to
apparently because of poverty, unemployment
leadership.
and the selfish motive of people who exploit
iv. Greed, Bribery, Corruption, and
them. A situation where politicians, chiefs and
Negative influence of role models.
businessmen recruit youths as thugs, arm them
with dangerous weapons, and reward them for
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v. Wrong political leadership WORKS CITED

structure.
The above mentioned factors could however
be remedied and turn around by strategic
groupings, political education, empowerment
and enlightenment programmes.
CONCLUSION
The main challenges for youth are limited
opportunities for effective involvement in the
decision making process, limited opportunity
Afolayan, M.S. Corruption, A Cankerworm in
Nigeria: The Dilemma of the Criminal Code
and the ICPC, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
University Law Journal, Vol.1No.1, Arise
Corporate Ltd. 2014.
Altshuler D.; Strangler G.; Berkely K.; Burton
L. Supporting Youth in Transition to
Adulthood: Lessons Learned from Child
Welfare and Juvenile Justice. Centre for
Juvenile Justice Reform. 2009.
Ilesanmi, O.T. The Roles of Youths in
National Development. Ado-Ekiti: Favourland
Publications, 2003.

and exposure to meaningfully participate in KolawoleDipo. ‘Concept of Politics’ in

inclusive decision making processes, young Readings in Political Science. Ibadan: Dakaal
Publishers, 2005.
men and women feel excluded and
Robert F. Kennedy, “Day of Affirmation”
marginalized in their societies and
(Being a speech delivered by him whilst a
communities. There is a need for participatory UnitedState Senator, to the National Union of
structures and greater trust between youth and South African Students), University of Cape
institutions and for greater capacity Town, South Africa, June 6, 1966.

development. Without active participation in Thomas A. “Psychology of Adolescent”, Self-

politics, a nation is toys with its future, and Concept, Weight Issues and Body Image in
Children and Adolescents. 2013.
undermines its existential capacity. The active
involvement of youths in politics must be seen TyyskaVappu. “Conceptualizing and
Theorizing Youth Research: Local
as a beacon of hope for attaining purposeful Expressions and Global Connections”,
and sustainable political leadership and London: Ashgate Books, 2005.
stability.
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