Speaking at a virtual internship organized by IRIS Attorneys LP, the vibrant young leader addressed two of the most burning issues confronting youth in politics: the perceived favouritism in political appointments and the deep-seated fear of political violence.
Her remarks, coming from a place of both intellectual and personal experience, have provided a new framework for engagement.
The virtual forum, titled "Enhancing Youth Participation in Nigeria Leadership: Bridging the Gap between Citizen’s Interest and Politics Realities," became a platform for Hon. Abiola to tackle the long-held beliefs that political spaces are closed shops, accessible only to a privileged few.
When asked about the growing notion that political appointments are a tool for ethnic and zonal favouritism, she meticulously dissected the principles guiding such processes, bringing clarity to a system often shrouded in obscurity.
Hon. Abiola began by explaining the constitutional framework of the "federal character" principle. "There's something called federal character and ideally before any federal government agency does any kind of hiring, the federal character commission has to weigh in," she stated, adding that this is a system designed to ensure "specific numbers of people hired from different parts of the country."
She stressed that this is the proper and official way of doing things, intended to promote national unity and give every region a sense of belonging in the federal system.
She was quick to distinguish this from the more informal, albeit politically practical, reality of discretionary appointments. While acknowledging that principals often prefer to appoint personal aides with whom they share a history or social characteristics, she highlighted the existence of a broader political calculation.
She noted that while close aides might be familiar faces, leaders also work to "extend the pool beyond just their own immediate crowd" to satisfy political considerations. She buttressed this point with a personal example from her home state, revealing, "Even in my state, I know of at least one SSA to the governor who is even not of a Yoruba extraction at all. I think he's from the north."
The DG’s message on this matter was one of resilience and self-belief. Rather than succumbing to the feeling of being marginalized, she urged qualified young Nigerians to take proactive steps. "If you're qualified for an opportunity, you live in a place, you pay tax there, please go ahead and apply for any opportunities that you think that you're qualified for," she advised.
According to her, it is an unfortunate "peculiarity of the system" that while indigenes are often prioritized, those who live and contribute to a state equally stand a chance to access opportunities.
The dialogue then shifted to the heavier, more somber subject of political participation and the fear of death, a concern that has driven many young people away from the political arena. Hon. Abiola was brutally honest about the inherent dangers but delivered a powerful message of defiance against fear.
"I would say that yes, things could get pretty dangerous. I mean, if I’m being honest, I’ve lost, well, my father essentially passed due to some rather severe complications that came about as a result of political participation," she said, revealing a tragic and deeply personal connection to the subject.
However, she argued that fear is a poor guide for life decisions. In a moving analogy, she explained that danger is not an exclusive feature of politics. "We've seen business people die mysterious deaths, assassinated over business deals. There is no field of endeavor that does not carry its own risks once you’re exposed to that kind of system or that kind of life," she noted.
Her profound perspective suggests that the pursuit of purpose, in any field, inherently carries risks that must be faced with courage and not with apprehension.
Beyond the philosophical, Hon. Abiola offered concrete, less-risky pathways for young people to engage. She proposed that youths do not need to aim for elective office immediately. Instead, she championed mentorship as a critical first step. She encouraged them to "approach somebody who you think you have things in common with" to serve as a guide. She also highlighted the immense value in serving as an aide, or within a political party, as this provides a means of navigating the system and "rise very rapidly within the ranks."
The seasoned public speaker concluded her address by challenging the youth to abandon their fear and embrace their destiny.
She pointed out that Nigeria’s political history has become "rather sane over time" compared to the past, and that the country has seen "a drastic reduction in the incidence of violence." Her final words were a powerful and unwavering exhortation: "Don't be afraid." Her message was clear: While the path may be fraught with challenges, the future of the nation lies in the hands of a fearless generation ready to step up and engage.
