A former federal lawmaker in Nigeria, Senator Shehu Sani, has urged Nigerians within the age bracket of their thirties to fifties to stop limiting their political engagement to social media discussions and instead actively participate in the country’s democratic process by contesting for elective positions.
Senator Shehu Sani, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, made the call in a post shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday, urging citizens to channel their political opinions into real-world leadership ambitions.
Okay News reports that Sani expressed concern that many key political offices across Nigeria are increasingly being occupied by much younger individuals, while older and more experienced citizens remain largely confined to online commentary without seeking elective mandates.
In his remarks, the former lawmaker criticised recent surveys suggesting that Nigerian youths are more active on social media than in politics, describing such conclusions as misleading and unhelpful to the country’s democratic growth.
Sani stressed that political participation must extend beyond digital activism, adding that genuine national transformation can only occur when citizens physically engage with political party structures, grassroots mobilisation, and election processes.
He wrote, “You are in your thirties, forties or fifties, your Representative member is in his thirties and your House of Assembly member and Local Government Chairman are in their twenties. Excuse yourself from their comment section on Facebook, X and Instagram; register as a member of a political party and aspire to contest and give your people the kind of leadership you think they deserve.”
The former senator further dismissed the growing narrative that Nigerian youths are politically active simply because of their strong online presence, warning that such assumptions weaken efforts to encourage meaningful civic participation.
“The recent survey that suggests that Nigerian youths are more on social media than in politics is not helpful,” he added.
Sani also addressed concerns about the financial demands of Nigerian politics, advising aspiring leaders not to allow a lack of personal wealth to discourage them from seeking public office.
“Do not be discouraged or scared because ‘you do not have money’ to join politics. You need to hear the story of most of those you see in power today; it was not an easy ride from the beginning. If they can be, so you can,” he stated.
