Ahead of the 2027 elections, Valentine Ozigbo, the founder of the Valiant Movement and a former candidate for governor of Anambra State, has warned Nigerian youths that the nation’s future cannot be fully dependent on the same generation of leaders.
In an interview with ARISE News, Ozigbo discussed Nigeria’s political future and the role of youth in bringing about significant change.
Ozigbo stated that rather than waiting for well-known politicians to address the country’s issues, young Nigerians must assume more responsibility for determining the destiny of their country.
“Tinubu, Obi, and Kwankwaso are all Nigeria’s problems; I don’t see many differences between them. “I no longer have faith in the elder generations,” he remarked.
He continued, “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 rely solely on politicians from the older age because they have a vital role to play in restoring the nation.
Young people must be reminded that they will be the ones who reconstruct our nation in the end. “I don’t think the older generation can lead the kind of change Nigeria needs,” Ozigbo said.
Many of Nigeria’s current problems, according to the former governorship 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 inflation, increased insecurity, currency rate volatility, and other economic issues, he stated.
They are frequently linked to ineffective leadership, bad governance, and a drop in civic engagement. However, even these are signs of a deeper issue that has developed over time.
Concerned about the nation’s worsening security situation, Ozigbo described it as proof of a larger social catastrophe.
He said, “We have reached a point where the kidnapping of even a two-year-old child can occur.”
He added 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 get involved in politics. He stated, “People spend up to ₦150 million just to secure 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 go on to become candidates.
“A system that discourages capable and well-meaning persons is created when the cost of entering politics is so high. Ozigbo continued, “Even if someone starts the process with good intentions, the pressures and compromises involved can fundamentally change them by the time they emerge as a candidate.”
He argued 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.
