Ahead of the 2027 elections, Valentine Ozigbo, a former candidate for governor of Anambra State and the founder of the Valiant Movement, has warned Nigerian youths that the future of the nation cannot be fully dependent on the same generation of leaders.
In an interview with ARISE News, Ozigbo discussed Nigeria’s political future and the need of youth in bringing about significant change.
According to Ozigbo, rather than waiting for well-known leaders to address the country’s issues, young Nigerians need to assume more responsibility for determining its destiny.
“Tinubu, Obi, and Kwankwaso are all Nigeria’s problems; I don’t see much of a distinction between them. He declared, “I no longer have faith in the elder generations.
He went on, “I am saying this because the younger generation needs to wake up and stop outsourcing their destiny to people who, in some cases, have contributed to Nigeria’s problems while expecting them to fix it.”
He believes that young people should not solely rely on politicians from the elder age because they have a vital role to play in reconstructing the nation.
“Young people must be reminded that they will be the ones who reconstruct our nation in the end. Ozigbo said, “I no longer trust the older generation to lead the kind of change Nigeria needs.”
Many of Nigeria’s current problems, according to the former governorial candidate, are signs of more serious structural and leadership flaws.
Many of the difficulties we talk about today are signs of more serious issues. We need to consider the root causes of problems like fluctuating currency rates, inflation, growing insecurity, and other economic concerns,” he stated.
They are frequently linked to inadequate leadership, bad governance, and a drop in civic engagement. However, even these are signs of a deeper problem that has developed over time.
Concerned about the nation’s worsening security situation, Ozigbo described it as a sign of a larger social catastrophe.
He said, “We have reached a point where even a two-year-old child can be kidnapped.”
He also noted that one of the main obstacles keeping competent Nigerians from running for politics is the high expense of political engagement.
The first obstacle is the huge sum of money needed to engage in politics. He stated, “People spend up to ₦150 million just to obtain a party ticket for positions like the Senate or the House of Representatives.”
He claims that the financial requirements of the political process frequently deter eligible people from taking part and can jeopardize those who do end up running for office.
“A system that discourages capable and well-meaning individuals is created when the cost of entering politics is so high.” Ozigbo continued, “The pressures and compromises involved can fundamentally change someone by the time they emerge as a candidate, even if they start the process with good intentions.”
He insisted that stronger institutions, increased youth involvement in politics, and a leadership culture motivated by skill rather than money would be necessary for significant change in Nigeria.
