A former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has charged African youths to wrestle power from the older generation in a bid to occupy leadership positions.
He made his remarks in his address at a virtual interactive session with youths to mark this year’s International Youth Day organized by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Oke – Mosan, Abeokuta.
Obasanjo who warned youths that leadership position would not come their way unless they take action, urged them to demand that affirmative action is encapsulated in the constitution of political parties, as part of strategies to ease out old generation of leaders.
Obasanjo said: “Unless you squeeze out those who are in office and those who want to remain in office perpetually, some after the age of 80, they will not want to be out.
“The type of change I am talking about, that I believe we can all embark upon, is to subscribe into the constitution of political parties in favour of youth. Or if you like it, you call it affirmative action in favour of youths.
“For instance, if you say, in the constitution of a political party, not less than 50 per cent of those who hold executive office within the party will be less than 40 years of age.
“I am saying this because if you leave it entirely for people to do it for you, nobody will do it for you. You have to do it for yourself.”