Until a few weeks ago, Emmanuel Macron was barely known outside France where he served as Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry between 2014 and 2016. Within days of emerging as a frontline candidate heading for a run off in the Presidential election, his name became a household name globally on account of the novelty of his marriage and his relative young age. Emmanuel Macron is the youngest person to be elected as President of France since the French revolution. His election is a feat because it did not follow the usual laid down path of strong political parties or benevolent godfathers. In a nation with an ageing population and emerging rightist agitations, the emergence of Macron was unexpected.

How did this young man from a rural non-aristocratic family walk his way into the highest office in France without the support of the establishment?  In early 2016, disenchanted with the politics of France and not seeing any hope for a change in the existing political parties, Macron formed a political association named ‘Movement En Marche’ meaning ‘on the move’. Together with a few associates, a strategic plan was drawn to capture the imagination of the youths and younger generation of French citizens, offering a new non-divisive approach to leadership. At the time Macron went into the presidential election, his Movement did not have a single elected official either in parliament or in any municipal authority. In the first Presidential ballot, he won more votes than candidates from the ruling party, the populist rightist party and other lesser-known political parties. Notwithstanding the last minute attempt by ‘Wiki leaks’ to influence the outcome of the run off, he still won convincingly with over two thirds of votes cast. Despite the strong democratic orientation of Europe, Macron’s victory did not follow the well laid path and offers many learning curves for young Nigerians aspiring for political leadership.

 ‘Power is like a garden, if it is not cultivated it cannot be harvested’ (African Proverb). 

I think it would not be out of place to describe the ongoing ‘Not Too Young To Run’ campaign as a mere social media agitation. The youths have to understand that ‘Power can only be gained through cultivation of power’. You sow what you reap. In democratic politics power is planted through membership of political parties or movements, active communal involvement and participation in electioneering.  Are the youths of Nigeria doing enough to cultivate power? Are they investing in the cultivation of power or they just lend their hands to be used as laborers by more illustrious cultivators? Are intelligent young Nigerians getting involved in partisan politics or they leave the field for charlatans whilst they limit their involvement to twitter, Facebook and social media posts? How involved are our youths in community activities where leadership attainment is still governed by service rather than wealth?

‘He who wished to be obeyed must know how to command’ – Niccolo Machiavelli

I’ll like to draw a correlation between this assertion and Military training. In the military, the main distinction between officer training and the training of other ranks is that whereas officers are orientated to give commands and lead, other ranks are trained to obey orders and follow commands. That is the reason other ranks are psychologically manipulated to surrender their ego so that ‘they can obey orders without complaint’. It is the reason why it is much easier to rise from the rank of a Sub-lieutenant to General than from Private to Sergeant Major. When we draw parallel between the military situation and politics it is quite easy to understand why ‘boys never become men’. Nigerian youths in politics are too fixated on being boys rather than leaders.

‘The Most Common Way People give up their power is by thinking they do not have it’ – Alice Walker

Have you ever examined the demographics of the Nigerian population? Are you aware that Nigeria is enjoying what should ordinarily be regarded as demographic dividend (A period when the working population exceeds the dependent population)? Why is it that youths and women who form the largest voting blocs are the least represented in government?  Nigerian youths and women have the power, but do they know?

‘If there is no Struggle there is no progress’- Fredrick Douglas

If you want a shot at leadership you have to challenge the political class rather than staying inside air-conditioned homes sending messages on Facebook and Twitter. Elections are not won on social media. If you are old enough to vote then you are old enough to lead. Youths must desist from blaming the political class for their perceived exclusion from the main stream of governance. What do they expect anyway? Holders of power will never cede power voluntarily it has to be fought for.  Are the youths not aware that the reason former governors sought political neophytes as successors is because they don’t want to cede power? So if the youths want power, they’ll have to get into the political battlefield as officers and not as ‘errand boys’ or as Sub- lieutenants rather than as Lance Corporals.

Knowledge will give you power, but character will give you respect – Bruce Lee

The popular saying that knowledge is power may be irrelevant in politics. What matters most is not what you know but how respected you are. Political power is given to those that are respected and not necessarily the most knowledgeable. What are the youths doing to earn respect? Given that most youths cannot compete financially with the ‘kidnappers of our commonwealth’, it is foolhardy to attempt to struggle for power using the same weapon. The most effective weapon available to the youths is their overwhelming majority, and they can harness this weapon through integrity and earning respect of others. Money talks but ultimately respect wins!

One last word

The victory of Macron in France should serve as a lesson for Nigerian youths. Rather than dwelling on his age or the age of his spouse, the youths should learn from his courage, self believe and organizational skill. If the traditional political parties do not offer Nigerian youths a way to power what stops them from taking the unconventional route? Politics is a game of numbers. The numbers are on the side of the youth, strength is on the side of the youth and I dare say that God is on the side of the youth. All that Nigerian youths need is fire in the belly.