Uchechukwu Okoroafor, Abuja
In a remarkable turn of events, Senegal witnessed the meteoric rise of 44-year-old Basirou Diomande Faye from prison detainee to victorious presidential candidate within the span of just eight days. His triumph on March 24, 2024, marked not only a historic win for the opposition but also a testament to the power of youth engagement in shaping a nation’s destiny.
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Faye, a former tax administrator and political novice, clinched victory in the first round of the ballot, securing 54 percent of the vote under the banner of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASFEF) party. His ascent to the presidency symbolizes a break from the status quo and signals a new era of political change in Senegal.
The road to Faye’s victory was fraught with challenges, including attempts to stifle opposition voices and delay the election for political advantage. However, the resilience of the Senegalese people, particularly the youth, prevailed against all odds.
Senegal’s election offers valuable lessons for Nigeria and the broader African continent. Firstly, it underscores the transformative potential of youth participation in democratic processes. While Nigerian youths often face barriers to political engagement, the Senegal experience demonstrates that they can defy the odds and effect meaningful change through active participation and mobilization.
Moreover, Faye’s victory highlights the importance of issue-based campaigning over divisive rhetoric. By focusing on corruption and foreign relations, rather than tribal or religious sentiments, Faye resonated with voters across diverse demographics, uniting them behind a common vision for a better future.
The peaceful and transparent conduct of Senegal’s electoral process is another lesson for Nigeria. A well-organized election, free from manipulation and intimidation, garnered widespread acceptance and praise from both local and international observers. The swift concession of defeat by incumbent President Macky Sall further underscores the maturity of Senegal’s democracy and sets a positive example for political leaders across the continent.
Furthermore, Senegal’s inclusive electoral system, which allows all citizens easy access to voting, stands in stark contrast to Nigeria’s cumbersome process, which often disenfranchises millions. Simplifying voter registration and ensuring equal participation for all citizens are crucial steps towards strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
Ultimately, Senegal’s peaceful transition of power serves as a beacon of hope for Africa, showcasing the potential for democratic governance to thrive even in the face of adversity. As Nigeria and other nations grapple with political challenges, the Senegal model offers a blueprint for building resilient and inclusive democracies rooted in the will of the people.
In embracing the lessons of Senegal’s election, African leaders can chart a path towards a brighter and more prosperous future for generations to come.
Nigeria’s population is young and fast-growing. It is expected to be the world’s third most populous country by 2050, with 400 million inhabitants, the United Nations says. With nearly 70% of Nigeria’s population below the age of 35, it is therefore crucial that young people are represented in the country’s political systems. There have been welcome steps on this front.
In May 2018, Nigeria passed a new law which lowered the age limits for political office from 35 to 30 years in the Senate and 30 to 25 years in the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly. Known as the “Not Too Young to Run” bill, the move was intended to reflect the changing demographics of Africa’s most populous nation and help usher in younger leaders. This was a remarkable achievement for young people in the country, as it meant that they had opportunities for representation which were not previously possible. While this is a great step towards youth inclusion, in politics, it is clear that more still needs to be done to put young people at the very heart of politics, governance, and decision-making process in Nigeria.
The same trend is being seen across the world, as young people are becoming increasingly involved in politics and youth inclusion in governance is being perceived as a catalyst for change. In many countries, we have seen the age of those in positions of leadership come down over the years. Justin Trudeau, for example, was 47 years old when he became prime minister, and David Cameron became Prime Minister of the UK at 43 years old. It seems, though, that this trend has not extended to African countries just yet, where, comparably, Rwanda is leading the way with Paul Kagame’s cabinet reaching an average age of 47.5 years old, until Senegal produced the youngest president in the continent in the last election.
It is disappointing to see that despite the new law in Nigeria paving the way for more young people to be inducted into the leadership framework of the country, most of the young people appointed into the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration were for the positions of Personal Assistants (PAs) and Advisers, Senior Special Advisers (SSAs) Special Assistants (SAs) among others. That has also been the practice in the appointment of young people by state governors.
One of the major lessons of the Senegal election for the young people of Nigeria is to take advantage of their population, which is above 70 percent of the total population, to change the status quo like their counterparts in Senegal. The young people of Nigeria should move on from the disappointment of the 2023 presidential election, where the candidate they supported was rigged out of the presidential mandate. They can still create a New Nigeria in 2027!