Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as having been disconnected from reality during his presidency, as a result of old age.
Donald Duke spoke Tuesday, at a symposium for young and emerging leaders organised by The Future Project in Lagos.
Former Governor of Cross River State and Tinapa Resort exponent, Donald Duke has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as being disconnected from reality during his presidency, as a result of old age.
Donald Duke was making the point about youths participation in the political process during a symposium for young and emerging leaders organised Tuesday in Lagos, by The Future Project.
Discussing the theme "Open Governance: Improving Transparency and Accountability in Government," the former Governor said “old people in government are usually disconnected from the realities on ground.
There is a disconnect among old people in government and the realities on the ground. Obasanjo for example, was disconnected from reality,” Duke said of the ex-President.
He also blamed such disconnect for Obasanjo's subsequent appointment of his similarly aged peers as ministers and advisers. He recounted an instance when he tried to explain mobile phone usage to one of Obasanjo's Ministers and wondered how such a fairly laid back fellow would relate to the rest of the country.
The former Governor subsequently called on youths to take advantage of their numbers and own the country's political process.
"I want to urge young people in the country not to see leadership as if it belongs to some people and do nothing positive to be part of it.
"You represent more than 60 per cent of the population, you don’t have to beg for it.
"As long as you are up to the legal age, as long as you’re that age where you can vote for others, correspondingly, you are entitled to be voted for. So, you need to be part of the political process and play your part. It is your right to be there; nobody is doing you a favour," he said.
