Owerri, Nigeria – As Nigeria marks Democracy Day 2025, former Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, has issued a stirring message challenging political leaders to move beyond tokenism and embrace meaningful youth inclusion as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democratic renewal.
In a speech titled “The Youth Shall Lead: Building Nigeria’s Democratic Future,” Ohakim acknowledged the resilience and sacrifices that define June 12, while calling attention to a new democratic paradox: a youthful nation governed by aging structures.
“Over 70% of Nigeria’s population is under 35. This is not a burden—it is a blessing,” Ohakim said. “And yet, our democracy continues to dance around our youth without fully embracing them.”
Dr. Ohakim praised the passage of the landmark Not Too Young To Run Act as a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, but insisted that legislative progress must be matched by political will and structural inclusion:
“From the Not Too Young To Run Act to the #EndSARS movement, our young people have shown that they are not waiting for the future—they are already shaping it.”
Describing young Nigerians as “not passive recipients of change but active agents of transformation,” he urged Nigeria’s political institutions to go beyond symbolic gestures and enact constitutional reforms that guarantee youth participation:
“Let us enshrine in our laws that young people must sit at the table—not as praise singers or aides, but as partners in vision and responsibility.”
Recalling the significance of June 12, he invoked the memory of the 1993 elections as a national turning point that must not be forgotten:
“We remember June 12 as the day the Nigerian people spoke with one voice—and were silenced. That injustice still echoes today. We owe it to the next generation to ensure their voices are not only heard but heeded.”
Addressing both youth and elders, Dr. Ohakim encouraged mutual responsibility:
“To the youth, I say: the future is not tomorrow—it is now. Engage. Organize. Lead. To the elders, I say: legacy is not built by hoarding power, but by empowering others.”
He concluded with a message of unity and renewal:
“Nigeria is in transition—from missed opportunities to endless possibilities. That transition rests heavily on our youth. This Democracy Day, let us recommit to the dream of June 12—freedom, inclusion, and justice for all.”
About Dr. Ikedi Ohakim
Dr. Ikedi Ohakim served as Governor of Imo State from 2007 to 2011. A businessman, statesman, and advocate of progressive governance, he is currently involved in initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, democratic reform, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
