Paul Orajiaka is a chieftain of Labour Party, LP, in Anambra State and a former governorship aspirant under All Progressives Congress, APC. In this interview, he sheds light on the country's pressing issues and harps on the urgent need for reforms to foster youth engagement in governance.
What do you think is responsible for the recurring waves of protests in the country?
I would say citizens' frustration with the state of the nation is at the core of these protests. The real issue is that citizens are experiencing unprecedented hardships. They understand that these challenges stem directly from leadership. Thus, the protests arise from a deep disenchantment with the poor governance prevalent in Nigeria today.
What is your view on the fact that youths primarily spearheaded the protests?
What this shows is that we have a largely youthful population, and if government is doing the right thing, these youths wouldn't be out on the streets--they'd be more productive and contributing to the growth of the country. Government should count itself lucky that these young people are peacefully protesting, unlike other youths involved in banditry or pushing secessionist movements.
Government needs to understand that it's better to engage these youths now while they're peacefully demanding a better Nigeria, instead of chasing them in the bush with guns. Our youthful population should be seen as an asset that can help build a stronger nation. But if government doesn't take them seriously, many might drift toward more dangerous paths.
There seems to be a disconnect between the activism we see during protests and electoral participation.
Why do you think the energy of youth activism does not translate into voting during elections?
This question boils down to the society in which we live. Youths who snatch ballot boxes, intimidate voters, and threaten certain ethnic groups during elections are the bad ones, and they end up scaring the good ones away. Government and politicians only seem to value the energy of these youths for election violence--using area boys and street touts to intimidate voters. These bad youths, often armed and sponsored by political actors, make it unsafe for the good ones to participate in elections. That's why many youths don't come out to vote, because of the fear and intimidation during election time.
After elections, though, when it comes to protests, you see more youthful involvement because there's no fear or intimidation. Politicians have weaponized fear to keep good youths out of the political process, making it hard for them to even exercise their civic duty by voting. The system is still dominated by the old generation, who remain in power, and some are positioning their children to take over from them.
Do you foresee any changes in the political landscape, especially concerning the participation of youths?
Today, it's disheartening to see many politicians in power with their children stepping into roles like commissioners, indicating that they are grooming them to continue where they left off, even though the current system isn't working. As the saying goes, 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' If our leaders face challenges, they will likely pass those same traits to their children, perpetuating the issues we have.
Youth need to realize that this country won't be handed to them on a platter of gold; they must work hard to enter the political arena at any level, even through party politics. By getting involved at the local and state levels, they can create opportunities for their peers and influence who becomes their flag bearers. It's unacceptable that individuals from the 70s, 80s, and 90s are still in power today. Young people must engage in political parties to make their voices heard and hold the government accountable.
Given the crisis in opposition parties in Nigeria, do you think they are strong enough to hold government accountable?
You have to consider how united the opposition is to have a common voice. Right now, they are too busy fighting among themselves. In my party, we're trying to resolve issues between factions, like the Aburi faction and the stakeholders, which is the right thing to do. Just look at the PDP; they're entangled in internal squabbles, with accusations against the National Working Committee for being loyal to Wike. Until they get their house in order, they can't present a credible voice.
Many believe that these crises are being engineered by the ruling party to keep the opposition in disarray. For instance, Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State mentioned on national television that they know where the PDP's issues are coming from, claiming it's tied to the APC. While I can't verify that, what's clear is that politicians need to remember that politics should serve the general good of the masses. Instead, they focus on self-interest, allowing internal rivalries to distract them from holding the governing party accountable.
The opposition parties have been in disarray since the 2023 elections, primarily because they are positioning themselves for 2027, showing a level of selfishness that neglects the needs of the people. Instead of finding their voice, they're just throwing banter among themselves.
There is a general notion out there that Nigeria's political landscape has been captured. Do you agree?
Every aspect of our political landscape is captured. The state itself and the political parties are both under control, which shows that the current class of politicians in Nigeria will never deliver the change we seek. Their focus is solely on personal interests, seeking to control party structures to maintain their godfather roles and anoint the wrong candidates.
Just look at the elections we're having today--many flag-bearers refuse to participate in debates and struggle to articulate their thoughts, making foolish mistakes when they have the microphone.
How can such individuals represent major political parties?
They attain these positions because of the capture of the political machinery, with some leaders deciding who the candidate will be, regardless of the wishes of party members or the people. This manipulation undermines the electoral process. I have personally experienced this, where more qualified candidates were overlooked, and the chosen candidate ended up losing the election miserably. The selfishness of these politicians, prioritising personal gain over communal interests, exemplifies the total capture of our political and state structures. This state capture and political capture hinder our progress and perpetuate the problems we face.
What is your view on federal government's approach of providing handouts to the poor and vulnerable as a way of tackling the biting hardship in the country?
A famous Chinese proverb says, "Teach a child to fish, and you feed him for life; give a child fish, and you feed him for a day." It's disappointing that Nigeria has reached a point where it's all about handing out food, and people are even losing their lives in the process.
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The recent incident with customs selling rice, where people trampled each other, highlights this grim reality. How did we get to a state where citizens have to scramble for food?
The government needs to prioritise human capital development by providing quality education for children and creating institutions that allow businesses to thrive. Handouts may provide temporary relief, but how long can a family survive on a 50 kg bag of rice before seeking more assistance? This approach is merely a quick fix that fails to address the root issues. Furthermore, by distributing rice, the government makes it scarcer, driving prices up and making it harder for others to afford. The government's current strategy is failing and needs a fundamental change.
Palliatives should not be the government's priority. Even if they are, the abuse surrounding them is enormous. We've seen cases where these resources are rebranded for election purposes or hoarded and sold. During the EndSARS protests, many warehouses were broken into, revealing stockpiles meant for political gain. The existence of these handouts since the COVID period only underscores the issue; they often sit in storage until politicians decide to use them as electioneering tools.
This system dehumanizes Nigerians and leads to tragic outcomes, with people losing their lives scrambling for free rice. Social media is filled with videos showing politicians distributing half bags of rice to entire communities, raising the question: what can this possibly do for such a large group? The abuse of this process is unacceptable. It's time for the government to move beyond this ineffective handout structure. Nigerians are resilient and enduring, but the government needs to recognize that these are trying times and seek more sustainable solutions.
