Youth Group Faults Prolonged Occupation of Public Offices, Demands Space for Young Leaders
By Benjamin GBOR
The Chairman of Cross River Youths in Politics for Good Governance, Jerry Odey, has criticised the prolonged occupation of political offices by the same individuals, describing it as a major setback to democratic growth and youth inclusion.
Odey made this known during a press briefing in Calabar, where he said that many elected positions, particularly in legislative bodies, have been held by the same persons for decades without commensurate impact on the people.
According to him, such dominance by long-serving politicians continues to shut out emerging leaders and weaken public confidence in governance.
“It is not healthy for democracy when the same individuals occupy positions in the National or State Assembly for 15 to 20 years without visible results. It raises questions about representation and denies younger, capable individuals the opportunity to serve,” he said.
He said that the trend has contributed significantly to the leadership challenges facing the country, noting that repeated electoral choices often fail to reflect competence and accountability.
Odey maintained that young people must begin to take an active role in reshaping the political space by supporting credible, competent, and people-oriented aspirants, especially during party primaries.
He stressed that political parties must prioritise fresh ideas and proven capacity over familiarity and long-standing political dominance, warning that any party that ignores these values risks losing the support of young voters.
While acknowledging efforts by the state government to include young people in appointive positions, he insisted that true inclusion must extend to elective offices where key decisions are made.
The youth leader also called for increased opportunities for women and young candidates, noting that inclusive participation is critical to building a more responsive and accountable leadership system.
He added that his organisation is engaging political stakeholders to ensure that credible individuals with track records in community development, peacebuilding, and public service are given the opportunity to emerge as candidates.
Odey reaffirmed the group’s commitment to holding leaders accountable and advocating for a political system that reflects fairness, inclusiveness, and generational balance.
