Asoju Odo Task Aspiring Leaders On Politics With value
By Adedayo Said
The YPP House of Reps Candidate for the Irepodun/Isin/Ekiti/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, Charles Olufemi Folayan has urged the Nigerian youth to approach politics with the right mindset and value.
Speaking as a Guest Speaker at the Nigerian Youth in Governance Summit (NYGS) Committee’s Inauguration, held at the Senate Wing of the National Assembly Abuja on Friday 16th September, 2022. Asoju Odo expressed joy on the increase political awareness and participation of the young people and their readiness to choose their leader in 2023.
Folayan cautioned the various aspiring leaders across the country not to emulate some politicians who sees political offices as an opportunity to amass wealth for themselves rather, they should approach it as the opportunity to address the various challenges facing the society and the people they want to represent.
He said, many politicians today have consistently displayed the lack of conscience and empathy in the way and manner they carry themselves and handled the resources accrued to them.
“I’m glad that many youth today have woken up and are showing interest in the leadership and governance, but it’s not enough to develop interest, we must develop our capacity to offer something different to what is obtainable today.
“We must approach politics with the right mindset and value. If you don’t have the spirit of service, empathy and sincere conscience, you don’t need to go for public office. It is called public service because you are supposed to be there to serve the people’s interest. It’s not a compensation or money making ground for your mansions and SUVs.
“Some of the current political office holders have consistently displayed lack of conscience and empathy in the way and manner they carry themselves and handling the resources in their care. That is why we need to change them and offer something different through service.
The former Legislative Aide noted that National Assembly is a parliamentary chamber for intellectual conversations, law making, adequate oversight functions and prudent appropriations for the country and the good people. He said, those who want to come and represent their constituency and senatorial districts must be people with the right value, knowledge, skills and character.
“It’s disturbing when you see people with questionable character forcing their ways into political offices, it’s more disturbing when you see political office holders diverting public funds for private use, oppressing the electorates and still put themselves forward for re-election. They are obviously taking the advantage of the high level of gullibility in the society to rape the masses. National Assembly is a chamber for intellectual conversations, law making, adequate oversight functions and prudent appropriations for the country and the good people. It’s not for Gari or Eba.
Charles Folayan who is also an Ambassador of “Politics with Value” of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) urged young aspirants to be prepared to offer something different, meaningful and beneficial to their constituents and the nation at large.
“We must prepare ourselves, build capacity and disabuse the mind of the people at the grassroots on the real reason for their challenges and how to get rid of them through conscious and wise decisions at the ballot.
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