JANG IS WRONG WITH RADIO STATEMENT - DYONG MANGUT

Dyong Mangut, a staunch PDP Social media crusader and social commentator cum youth activist has come out in clear terms to condemn the statement made by Senator Jonah Jang on a live radio interview where the Senator said "Senate is not for the young" the statement has been generating backlash from youths across the State,while some say what the Senator said is not far from the truth,many see it as an affront on the youths, on the balance Mangut charged the youths to stand up and be counted.

MY TAKE ON " SENATE IS NOT FOR THE YOUTHS".

By D'yong Mangut.

The framers of our constitution stipulated an age floor of 35 years for eligibility to contest Senate election.

To my understanding, anybody around the age of 35 years is a youth. For the framers of our constitution to have arrived at 35 years age floor,  I believe they painstakingly weighed the cons and pros.

By the constitutional provision, the statement that Senate is not for the youths is wrong theoretically.

Practically, without sentiments,  it will take an exceptional youth around the age of a youth to get to the Senate in Nigeria today.

Is it not the same youths complaining about Senator Jang statement who turned a blind eye when a somebody above 55 years was foisted as ELCOM Chairman during the last Plateau Youths Council Election?

Is somebody above 50 years a youth and why didn't the youths protested or say anything about it?

Is the Plateau State commissioner of Youths,  a youth? Why are the youths not saying anything?

While I do not agree with Senator Jang's statement,  truth is bitter. Many of our youths (inclusive of me)  have not yet demonstrated that if given the mantle of leadership today,  they will outperfom the gerontocrats.

My take has always been that good leadership is not a product of age. The youths should fall back, ponder and reflect. We need to change our orientation and focus on electing leaders with integrity and capacity to perform irrespective of sentiments.