“Give young people a greater voice. They are the future and they are much wiser than we give them credit for.”

– Desmond Tutu

EiE Nigeria successfully hosted a conversation around the workings of the Nigerian political party system and how young people can get involved on Saturday, July 8, 2017. The panellists – Ayisha Osori, Bobo Omotayo and Akinnola Akinyinka, shared their varying experiences in two political parties.

A key point from their experiences was that the crafting of campaign messaging was key to the heart of any campaign as they are what connects the electorate to the elected. They also posited that whilst money is crucial in the Nigerian political parties, it is not all that is required to eventually win. The panellists also agreed on the importance of having a strong campaign team.

The conversation – ably moderated by social commentator Feyi Fawehinmi, also involved a thriving online audience with the hashtag – #NigeriaPost2019. Fielding answers to questions from the audience, Ayisha Osori and Bobo Omotayo admitted that being a woman and an unmarried man respectively were avenues for discrimination in Nigeria’s party politics.

Another key lesson shared by the panellists was that miracles would not happen in the Nigerian political party system if young people do not get up, get involved and work at it. They agreed that with good work, godfatherism – as we know it, would be on its way out of the Nigerian political party system.

On a final note, the panellists and the moderator admonished the physical and online audience to get involved in party politics – at least by first being a card-carrying member of a party. Their justification for this was that for young people to change the system, they need to first massively inject themselves into the system before being able to dilute it to turn things around in the direction they desire.

Attendees networked and got their books signed by Ayisha Osori (Love Does Not Win Elections) & Bobo Omotayo (Honourable) after the event.

EiE will host more of these conversations around the country as we continue our commitment to getting more young people involved in Nigeria’s political system through our RSVP Campaign.

Editor